Venus Bay alleged murder victim Peter Hillier a ‘kind, caring and gentle soul’ who loved his garden, daughters say

The daughters of alleged murder victim Peter Hillier have painted a beautiful picture of a gentle soul who loved his garden and chatting to anyone.

The grieving daughters of alleged murder victim Peter Hillier say their father was a “kind, caring and gentle soul” who loved his garden and would talk to anyone.

In a heartfelt statement to The Advertiser, Jade Ieru and Erin Hillier said they would “miss him terribly”.

“Our father Peter had a big heart,” they said.

“He was friendly to everyone he came across and would love to sit and talk with you about all matter of subjects for as long as time would allow, while sipping on his black coffee.

“He was never short of an interesting story or a random fact about the widest range of topics.

“He shared his dreams openly and always had time to listen to your stories and concerns and provide advice where he could, or just a friendly and supportive ear.”

His daughters and his friends have painted a picture of man with a generous nature who would give you the shirt off his back.

Supplied Editorial Peter Hillier at age 52. Picture: Luke Zanker

“He loved art, music and most of all the garden,” his daughters said.

“He was happiest in the garden amongst nature on the properties he lived on, growing vegies, building rock walls and creating stick sculptures, all well into the night with the help of his trusty head torch.

“He was a kind, caring and gentle soul, we loved him dearly and we will miss him terribly.”

Siblings Kelly and Luke Zanker, of Springton past the Adelaide Hills, grew up with Mr Hillier for 20 years and considered he and his father John Hillier family.

The father and son lived nearby at a property between Springton and Mt Pleasant for many years, and wanted nothing more than to live a simple life, Mr Zanker said.

Peter Hillier’s body was found at a rental home in Venus Bay. Picture: SA Police

“He’s the kind of person that would basically give you the jacket off his back and that’s why it’s so devastating, Peter always craved a simple life and always wanted to live and let live,” he said.

Mr Zanker, 33, of the Adelaide Hills, lived with Mr Hillier from age 19 until his early 20s.

“Where I was working was close to them and they were happy to let me live there, they were just very welcoming people, and they were very close to our family because of their nature,” Mr Zanker said.

“He (Mr Hillier) always wanted to help, that was his thing in life, he was very caring and always put others before himself.”

He said Mr Hillier was divorced and moved to New South Wales following the death of his father about four years ago to be closer to his two daughters who live there.

Ms Zanker, 31, recalled fond childhood memories of Mr Hillier and his father John.

“Peter was one of the most kind-hearted men, he was a beautiful person if he could help somebody he would … I never saw any malice from Peter,” she said.

“He was very kind and extremely smart and intricate, he was always full of information, he had an amazing mind.

“If my parents were away we’d always go to John and Peter’s for dinner and we’d always be there, they were just a part of our family.”

She was “disturbed” by the alleged circumstances of Mr Hillier’s death.

“I’ve never known Peter to be malicious to anybody, he always had a smile on his face and was always very generous, and a very warm-hearted man,” she said.

Police have arrested Adam Troy Bennett – a man travelling with Mr Hillier – and charged him with murder after finding the victim’s body in a Venus Bay rental home on Monday morning.

South Australians have paid tribute to the 64-year-old on social media, who was from Lake Haven, north of Sydney, remembering him as a great man.

The Venus Bay home Peter Hiller was found in. Picture: Robert Lang

One woman said Mr Hiller had an “incredible mind” and a man said: “Rest in peace Peter, you were too kind for this world”.

Deb, 52, was friends with Mr Hiller and works at Mt Pleasant Bakery, where Peter frequently visited and said he found out Mr Hillier had died watching the news.

“He was a friend of mine, we used to have BBQs together all the time,” he said,

“It has been such a big shock to everyone, being such a small community everyone knew him. He was such a great guy. Everyone is just shattered.

“I found out when I was watching the news last night. At first I didn’t believe it was him and then they said his name.”

Mr Hillier was travelling with his accused killer and had left NSW in a motorhome purchased in Adelaide about a month ago.

The victim was reported missing on May 25, and Mr Bennett had been reported missing in 2020.

Police allege Mr Bennett told them the pair went fishing on Sunday and afterwards started drinking. Police also allege Mr Bennett claimed Mr Hillier had fallen from a vehicle on the Flinders Hwy while intoxicated the night before.

A photo of the motorhome owned by Peter Hillier, whose body was found at a home on Sandham St, Venus bay. Picture: SA Police

He claimed they had returned home and Mr Hillier had gone to sleep on the couch.

Police will also allege Mr Bennett said Mr Hillier was unresponsive the next morning.

Superintendent Des Bray said: “As a result of our investigation we’ve drawn the conclusion that is not true and the acquaintance (Mr Bennett) has been arrested for his murder. He suffered significant injuries to his body and we don’t believe they are consistent with falling from a vehicle.”

Police are appealing for witnesses, and anyone with dashcam footage from the Flinders Hwy or surrounding roads on Sunday, May 29, to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.