Task Force Southern detectives move on murder suspect

Police have arrested and charged five people in connection with the unlawful detention and eventual murder of Robert Atkins.

Robert Atkins is believed to have been murdered. Picture: SA Police

Police have arrested and charged five people - including one female - in connection with the unlawful detention, brutal assaults and eventual murder of Robert Atkins.

One has been charged with murder, while the remainder face multiple charges including unlawful detention, causing harm and procuring a person to cause harm.

The man charged with Mr Atkin’s murder is a 32-year-old who was already in custody at Yatala Labor Prison after being arrested on other serious charges last year. Besides the murder charge, he also faces fresh charges of unlawful detention and causing harm.

Three of the other four charged, a man 43, another man, 30, and the female, 25, were also in custody at the Adelaide Remand Centre and the Adelaide Women’s Prison also after being charged with other serious offences. The fifth person, a man, 32, was arrested at Christies Downs.

All five of those charged today are expected to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The arrests were made by Task Force Southern detectives following more than 15 months of intensive investigations.

The Advertiser revealed 11 days ago that the key targets in Task Force Southern were already in custody and that Major Crime detectives were close to laying murder charges against some.

Mr Atkins, 29, was last seen alive on November 15, 2021 at the Harvey Norman store in Gepps Cross, with a man known to police.

The man charged with murder today was that man.

Detectives believe the man took Mr Atkins to several areas around Port Pirie before he was eventually murdered near Orroroo.

Task Force Southern was launched in December 2021 to probe the alleged murders of Jeff Mundy, Robert Atkins and Trevor King, has so far resulted in 33 people – 24 men and nine women – being arrested in connection with 283 charges.

While the Task Force was initially formed to investigate the three murders – each committed by violent drug dealers owed debts by their victims – it had evolved into a much wider operation that had successfully dismantled several significant southern suburbs drug trafficking operations.

They include 191 charges for trafficking methamphetamines, cannabis and fantasy, nine charges for unlawful detention and false imprisonment, nine charges for serious assaults and 12 charges for firearms possession and trafficking. Major crime operations inspector Brett Featherby said the investigation into Mr Atkins’ murder had “been long and challenging.’’

He said investigations had shown Mr Atkins was detained at locations including Christies Downs, North Plympton and Seaford between November 8 and 16 in 2020.

“During that period he was subjected to a number of physical assaults and was last known to be alive in the mid-north on November 16,’’ Insp. Featherby said.

Robert Atkins, Trevor King, Jeff Mundy murder artwork

“The investigation into the murder of Robert is ongoing and we are still investigating the roles of other people in the disposal of his body or who assisted in his unlawful detention, assault or murder.’’

He warned anyone who assisted an offender faced a 10 year prison term if convicted.

Insp. Featherby said police were aware there were individuals within the community who were aware of Mr Atkin’s murder who had not yet come forward and urged them to do so.

He also warned police would invoke Section 67 of the Correctional Services Act to prevent the parole of any offender convicted of Mr Atkins murder unless they assisted in recovering his remains.

“I would urge anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Mr Atkins’ remains to contact us,’’ he said.

Rewards of up to $200,000 are available for anyone who provides information leading to convictions in the murders of Robert Atkins, Jeff Mundy - and recovery of their remains - and the murder of Trevor King.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact crimestoppers on 1800333000.