Family and friends of Kudla shed murder victim Stephen Murphy say he can finally find peace after Keith Russell Yandle’s conviction

He was murdered and buried, but never forgotten by his family and friends. Now, Stephen Murphy’s loved ones have welcomed a jury’s verdict on his killer.

Kudla shed shooting victim Stephen Murphy can finally find peace, and those grieving him can take solace, now his killer has been convicted of murder, his loved ones say.

Speaking exclusively to The Advertiser on Monday, Mr Murphy’s family and friends welcomed a Supreme Court jury’s verdict that Keith Russell Yandle is a murderer.

They also paid tribute to the father of two, whose character was called into question during the trial by Yandle – who sought to portray his criminal actions as excessive self-defence.

Stephen Murphy has been remembered as a "beautiful dad" who would do anything for his two sons. Picture: Supplied

“As the family and friends of our beloved Steve, we are elated with the jury’s decision to convict Yandle of murder,” they said in a joint statement.

“Steve was a kind man with a gentle soul, and we find solace in knowing justice prevails for our dearly cherished friend.”

Mr Murphy was found buried in an underground bunker. Picture: Facebook

Yandle, 48, killed Mr Murphy in his Kudla shed – where he was growing cannabis – on February 19, 2023.

He shot Mr Murphy four times – once in the heart, and three times once he had fallen to the ground – after finding him cowering in a corner, unarmed and defenceless.

Yandle’s son, Marco, was also present at the time – CCTV footage showed him carrying a baseball bat and shining a torch on Mr Murphy as his father fired the shots.

Convicted murderer Keith Russell Yandle.

Marco Yandle. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

After sending Marco away, Yandle stepped on Mr Murphy’s hands to ensure he was dead, smoked a cigarette, then buried him beneath the shed’s dirt floor.

Mr Murphy was considered a missing person for weeks until Yandle’s brother, Brock, alerted police to the incident.

Yandle never denied shooting Mr Murphy, nor burying him, but insisted his crime was the lesser offence of manslaughter, and that he had acted in self-defence.

He even reneged on a plea bargain after ensuring the case against his son and former co-accused, Marco, had been downgraded to the charge of assisting an offender.

Mr Murphy’s family and friends have spoken out in the wake of the verdict. Picture: Facebook

They say they hope he can “find eternal peace” now his killer has been convicted of murder. Picture: Facebook

Marco pleaded guilty to that lesser offence, and subsequently received a suspended sentence.

On Friday, having heard a three-week trial and deliberating for three hours, a Supreme Court jury rejected Yandle’s assertions and found him guilty of murder.

He will next face court in April, when a date for sentencing submissions will be set.

On Monday, Mr Murphy’s family and friends welcomed the end of the trial process and said they were preparing themselves for the sentencing phase.

“It has been a long and emotional journey to get to this point,” they said in their statement.

“Although it is not over, we truly hope our Steve can finally find eternal peace.”