Parents of murder accused investigated as cops search for pistol used to kill Robert Atkins

In a shock twist, it can be revealed the parents of the man charged with the murder of Robert Atkins have also been charged with multiple criminal offences.

The parents of the man charged with the murder of Robert Atkins are among a number of individuals being investigated by detectives searching for the pistol used in the shooting.

It can also be revealed the man’s father, Clive Raymond Phypers, has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and serious firearms charges after Major Crime detectives dug up a cache of guns at his Booborowie property in the Mid North of the state.

Clive Phypers, 60, and his wife Kellie Marie Riekstins, 57, both of Booborowie, are also still before the courts on unrelated theft charges in connection with a $50,000 excavator stolen from Meadows and recovered at Borroloola, in the NT, where their other two sons reside.

Their son, Sean Clive Phypers, 32, was last Wednesday charged with the murder, unlawful detention and assault of Robert Atkins, 29, in November 2020. Four other people, including a female, are also facing charges relating to the unlawful detention and assault of Mr Atkins.

Sean Clive Phypers who was charged with the murder of Robert Atkins by Task Force Southern Detectives. Picture: Facebook

Task Force Southern detectives – who are investigating the murders of Robert Atkins, Jeff Mundy and Trevor King – are still conducting investigations to recover Mr Atkins’ remainsand the .30 calibre pistol they believe was used to kill him.

Several searches of scrubland around Booborowie and Spalding in the Mid North have failed to locate Mr Atkins’ grave, but further searches are likely as investigations continue.

Major Crime detectives digging up guns and ammunition belonging to Clive Raymond Phypers at Booberowie. Picture: South Australian Police/SAPOL

Detectives have also conducted searches along the Broughton Valley Rd, near the bridge over the Hutt River south of Spalding, for the pistol and ammunition. While the pistol was not found, .38 calibre bullets and packaging were located.

Task Force Southern is today searching for the firearm believed to be used in the murder of Robert Atkins. Searches are being conducted in the Mid North of the state near Spalding and Booborowie following a development in the investigation. Images of pistols which fit ammunition found south of Spalding Picture: SA Police.

At the time of the search last July Major Crime officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Des Bray said detectives had received information concerning “a middle-aged couple acting suspiciously’’ near the bridge just over a fortnight earlier.

“We believe the people seen on the bridge on June 22 may have been disposing of evidence on behalf of a suspect in Robert’s murder,’’ he said during the search.

South Australian Major Crime, Star group, Water operations and local police officers conducting an extensive search of the Hutt River an area outside of Clare as part of Task Force Southern. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier.

At a press conference following last Wednesday’s arrests in connection with Mr Atkins’ murder major crime operations chief inspector Brett Featherby stressed the investigation into “the involvement of other people who may have assisted those arrested today’’ was continuing.

“That includes those who may have assisted with the disposal of Robert’s body, assisted those involved in his unlawful detention and murder or disposing of other evidence including a firearm and ammunition in the mid-north,’’ he said.

He warned any person found guilty of assisting offenders in murder faced a prison term of up to 10 years.

Clive Raymond Phypers pleaded guilty to serious drug charges involving the trafficking of 6.7kg of cannabis and numerous firearms charges – including five counts of possessing a firearm without a licence, two aggravated possession counts and possessing a silencer – in the District Court three weeks ago. The guns were found buried at his Booborowie property by detectives.

Major crime operations Chief Inspector Brett Featherby. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

In sentencing submissions before Judge Ian Press prosecutor Georgie Grosset said “a sentence of imprisonment is the only appropriate penalty’’ because of the nature of the offending and the need for general deterrence in such offences, especially in regard to the individual firearms located.

Ms Grosset told Judge Press he had committed “a serious and organised crime offence’’ and he was also “a serious firearms offender’’ and as such, home detention or a suspended sentence was not open in sentencing.

She said there was “a detailed summary of listening devices, telephone intercepts and surveillance’’ present on the file that detailed the purchase of cannabis worth $40,000.

“This defendant is someone who has previously sold drugs and had been charged with that offending at the time he committed this offence. He was someone who associates with drug dealers and the risks in the defendant possessing multiple firearms were obvious,’’ Ms Grosset said.

Guns and ammunition belonging to Clive Raymond Phypers which was dug up by Major Crime detectives at Booberowie. Picture: South Australian Police/SAPOL

“It does not mitigate the offending that these firearms were buried in the ground, they were placed there to avoid detection and possession of these firearms would not have been maintained unless it was for some nefarious purpose.

“The risk to the community was still significant.’’

Clive Phypers will return to court in May for further sentencing submissions.

Anyone with any information that can assist in locating Mr Atkins’ remains or the pistol used in his murder is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800333000. A reward of up to $200,000 is available in the case.