Police confirm Geoffrey McLean one case of interest following discovery of remains in Salisbury South
Police are investigating whether human remains found on a vacant Salisbury South lot are linked to one of the state’s recent missing persons cases.
Police & Courts
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A missing persons case will be a focus of inquiries as mystery continues to surround the gruesome discovery of remains at a Salisbury South block.
SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens told reporters on Wednesday investigators are looking into “all missing persons records”, including that of 55-year-old Geoffrey McLean – last seen at his Andrews Farm home on August 18.
Mr McLean, who was the victim of a violent acid attack just months before his disappearance –has not been seen since that time and was reported missing on August 19.
Mr Stevens said he is hopeful authorities will be able to identify the victim “sooner rather than later”.
“It depends on the circumstances and the information we have … nothing has been disclosed about the gender,” he said.
“Families of missing people are waiting to see if this is someone who is connected to them.
“It wouldn’t be appropriate to speculate on a timeline, but we are keen to identify the person.”
An SA Police spokesperson also confirmed forensic testing is being conducted to identify the deceased and DNA obtained will be compared with DNA held for all known missing persons.
Major Crime detectives returned to the vacant block on Cheviot Rd on Tuesday, where a worker clearing grass discovered the body less than 24 hours earlier.
On Tuesday, Star Group officers were seen examining a group of trees and shrubs towards the back of the paddock in Salisbury South, moving into the area with whipper snippers and metal detectors.
They also showed interest in metal barrels near those shrubs on the block.
Police said the body is too decomposed to determine the victim’s age or sex.
The circumstances around the death have been deemed suspicious.
A neighbouring business believed the piece of land is owned by Mullins Wheels, the organisation to the left of the block.
Neighbouring businesses Border Express and Premium Fence were believed to have supplied CCTV footage to authorities.
SA Police Detective Inspector Brett Featherby said grass on the block was last mowed in March this year and was more than 1.5m high when the remains were found.
Owner of nearby business Minuteman Press Kevin Boyle said “it was not really a place you’d have an accident”.
“You don’t really find someone that far off the road, in a paddock that’s overgrown without something being a bit suss,” he said.
Mr Boyle said the block has been empty for about 10 years and had never been well maintained.
“That grass grows really quickly, so it wouldn’t take long to get a metre or so high,” he said.
The nearby streets were also known as a dumping ground for various rubbish, including marijuana waste and old mattresses.
“The council comes by on Mondays to clean it up,” Mr Boyle said.
The area is also mostly industrial but subject to frequent traffic.
“There’s lots of trucks, but people come and go … couriers, Ubers, people park up there for lunch,” Mr Boyle said.
“There’s hoons around, I’ve seen police set up right near the field with radars.”
A man from a neighbouring business said he was shocked by the news.
“It sounds terrible … it’s a bit of a shock,” he said.
The business owner said the industrial area could be quiet at times.
“It’s flat out around here during the week, but on the weekend it’s very quiet,” he said.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online at crimestopperssa.com.au
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