Task Force Southern: How a major investigation into three alleged murders led police to Robert Atkins’ remains

Almost three years after Robert Atkins was last seen alive, police have discovered what they believe are his remains. Here’s how the investigation played out.

Robert Atkins was last seen alive on November 15, 2020.

Now, almost three years and a dozen major searches later, police have recovered what they believe to be his remains at an abandoned property in the state’s Mid North.

The remains were removed from a rainwater tank at about 2pm Thursday after the initial discovery on Wednesday.

The grim discovery on Wednesday was the latest breakthrough in the ongoing investigations of Task Force Southern, which was established to probe the murders of Mr Atkins, Jeff Mundy and Trevor King.

Task Force Southern was established to investigate the alleged murders of three men, including Robert Atkins. Picture: Supplied

Mr Atkins was last seen alive on November 15 when CCTV captured him with another person committing crimes in Adelaide’s north, with police believing he was held against his will for about a week prior and assaulted.

Police believe he was murdered the next day, November 16, at daybreak within the area of Port Pirie and Booborowie in the state’s Mid North over a drug debt.

Mr Atkins’ mother reported him missing on January 2, 2021 before police searched a house on Mander Rd at Christie Downs – Mr Atkins’ last known address on July 22, 2021.

They seized sections of flooring for forensic analysis before returning the next day to remove a couch from the house.

In December 2021, Major Crime detectives announced Task Force Southern to investigate the murders of Mr Atkins, Mr Mundy and Mr King.

One of the largest investigations of its kind, the task force was comprised of 42 detectives, intelligence officers and forensic scientists.

Police remove remains believed to be that of Robert Atkins from a water tank in the state’s Mid North on Thursday. Picture: Riley Walter

Following the announcement, Mr Atkins’ mother Trish Spencer paid tribute to her son, remembering him “cheeky” in his younger years before succumbing to a meth addiction.

“He got into a bad place truly, I don’t know who gave him the first lot of meth, but once you’re on it, you’re on it, you’ve got to want to clean yourself up,” she said.

“I was just furious, I thought ‘how could you just ruin your life like that?’ But you can’t stop it, you can’t do that, it grips them, they need it all the time. If he wasn’t on meth he was a very loveable man.”

Robert Atkins, Trevor Kind and Jeff Mundy’s alleged murders have been the focus of Task Force Southern investigations. Picture: Supplied

In April Major Crime detectives arrested and charged five people – including one female – in connection with the unlawful detention, brutal assaults and eventual murder of Mr Atkins.

The man charged with Mr Atkins’ murder is Sean Clive Phypers, 32, of Northfield.

The other accused are Cameron Lachlan Stuart, 33, of Christies Beach, Clinton Arthur Turvey, 43, of Adelaide, Mikhael Joseph Brereton, 32, of Christie Downs and a woman, 25, whose identity is suppressed.

The arrests were made following more than 15 months of intensive investigations into the murders of Mr Atkins, Mr Mundy and Mr King.

Sean Clive Phypers has been charged with the murder of Robert Atkins. Picture: Supplied

Detectives believe Mr Atkins was led into bushland and shot with a .30 calibre pistol.

While the pistol has not been found, despite extensive searches in the Mid North, .38 calibre bullets and packaging were located.

Major Crime investigations have revealed 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 on November 16, 2021.

Major Crime chief Des Bray said the discovery of Mr Atkins’ remains came after a “relentless pursuit” from Task Force Southern detectives. Picture: Emma Brasier

On Thursday, Major Crime chief Detective Superintendent Des Bray said the latest breakthrough came after Task Force Southern’s “relentless pursuit” to locate Mr Atkins’ body.

“I’m very proud of the work done by the Task Force Southern detectives,” he said.

“They’re really, really happy that they found him.

“It’s just so important for the family and with a lot of missing victims, it’s clear from talking with family, the recovery of the remains and giving them a dignified burial is massively important to them.

“That’s a really good thing. The more effort you put in, the more likelihood that you will get a result.”