Kim Long Rim arrested over 2007 murder of Thea Kheav after returning to Australia from Bangkok

A fourth man arrested over a historic murder, nearly fifteen years ago, has been escorted through Adelaide Airport after returning to Australia.

A fourth man has been arrested over a historic murder, more than fifteen years after he allegedly fled the country.

On Saturday Victoria Police Homicide Squad and South Australian Major Crime Investigation Branch detectives arrested Kim Long Rim, 36, over 21-year-old Thea Kheav’s murder in 2007.

Mr Kheav was murdered at an 18th birthday party in Parafield Gardens on December 1 that year after an incident involving his brother and another group at the event.

The group left the party, but later returned and fatally stabbed Mr Kheav.

Chansyna Duong, Tuan Kiet David Huynh and Rotha Sem were in 2011 sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 20 years over the death.

All three lodged appeals, which were later dismissed, in the High Court.

Mr Rim was identified as a suspect in the murder six months after Mr Kheav’s death, by which time police allege he had fled to Cambodia.

In 2008, he was arrested in Cambodia but released three months later after the Cambodian Supreme Court rejected detectives’ application to have him extradited to SA.

A fourth man has been arrested over the murder of 21-year-old Thea Kheav in 2007.

Mr Rim, formerly of Salisbury North, was arrested about 7.30am Saturday after flying from Bangkok to Melbourne.

Mr Rim appeared briefly in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday afternoon wearing a grey jumper and flanked by custody officers as he sat quietly in the dock.

SA Major Crime detectives’ application to extradite him to Adelaide was granted.

Detective Sergeant Paul Ward told the court investigators would fly from Melbourne to Adelaide with Mr Rim.

Detectives led Mr Rim through Adelaide Airport at about 8.15pm Saturday after his extradition from Melbourne.

Detectives led Mr Rim through Adelaide Airport at about 8.15pm Saturday after his extradition from Melbourne. Picture: Riley Walter

Mr Rim said little to waiting media, muttering a single “no” when asked if he killed Mr Kheav.

During the 2011 murder trial, the jury heard a group of men had “comprehensively” bashed Mr Kheav with blocks of wood, kicked and punched him, and probably sliced his face with a machete before Duong delivered the fatal blow – puncturing his liver, diaphragm, left lung and heart.

Mr Kheav – who later died of blood loss – was found with more than 30 injuries on his body, including a 6cm machete wound to his face, following the attack.

In sentencing, Supreme Court Chief Justice Chris Kourakis, who was then a Supreme Court Justice, said the events of December 1, 2007 had “tragic consequences” and Mr Kheav’s family was “deeply scarred” by the loss of their main source of joy.

Police officers investigating Mr Kheav’s murder in 2007.

Chief Justice Kourakis told the men although it had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt that they delivered the fatal blow, their actions had knowingly led to the circumstances under which Mr Kheav was murdered.

“The youthful bravado and sense of immortality that the three of you going to this party had, had tragic consequences for Thea Kheav,” Justice Kourakis said.

“It must now also dash the hopes and aspirations you must have had for what are usually the most productive and challenging but also rewarding years of a person’s life.

Mr Rim has not been charged and is expected to land in Adelaide on Saturday night.