Task Force Southern: Police raid Lonsdale property over suspected murder of Jeff Mundy
A man suspected to have been murdered by drug dealers was held captive in a shipping container at Lonsdale – but briefly escaped – before being killed, police say.
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Missing man Jeff Mundy was held in a shipping container on a Lonsdale property frequented by “low-level drug users and dealers” before he was murdered, police believe.
Mr Mundy was last seen alive on December 19, 2020, when he was captured on CCTV at a chemist in the Colonnades Shopping Centre at Noarlunga before returning home to his parents’ house.
In December 2021, police launched Task Force Southern – one of the largest investigations of its type, involving 42 detectives, intelligence officers and forensic scientists – to investigate the murders of Mr Mundy, Robert Atkins and Trevor King.
About 50 police officers raided the Lonsdale property on Friday, finding a firearm, Taser, cannabis and three shipping containers of fireworks, Major Crime Investigation Branch Detective Inspector Brett Featherby said.
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Police cannot rule out the firearm was used in the murder of Mr Mundy.
Mr Featherby said the area was frequented by low-level drug users and dealers.
“We believe that the people that were involved in his murder may not have necessarily been involved with the disposal of his body and there may be separate or multiple suspects involved in those roles.”
Major Crime are also exploring the involvement of members of drug syndicates in the Lonsdale area, Aldinga and Sellicks Beach and their role in Mr Munday’s murder and disappearance.
“Today, police have located a firearm, we’ve located a taser, we’ve located a hydroponic cannabis crop, and we’ve located three shipping containers of illegal fireworks.”
A trailer arrived just before 4:30pm to remove the hydroponic equipment found at the scene.
Two large bags and other equipment were seen being loaded into the trailer.
Investigations are still continuing to identify who is responsible for the possession of the items found by police at Lonsdale.
Safe Work SA are also assisting SAPOL to ensure the site is safe in relation to the fireworks.
Forensic Response is also in attendance and are conducting examinations of areas within the premises. Mr Featherby would not comment on what their role was at the location.
“We’re seeking anyone who has knowledge of Jeff’s murder, disposal of his body, or the reason why he was murdered.”
Mr Featherby said they believe Mr Mundy was held in the Lonsdale area, escaped, but was recaptured then murdered one to two weeks afterwards.
Investigations into the weapons are ongoing.
Mr Featherby said police still believed Mr Mundy’s remains are on the Fleurieu Peninsula and are working out locations to search there.
“But until we locate the remains of one of the victims, we won’t be able to confirm that.”
“Anyone involved in these murders should be concerned.”
Major Crime is exploring the involvement of members of drug syndicates in the Aldinga, Sellicks Beach and Lonsdale areas in Jeff’s murder.
More than 60 premises have been searched under Task Force Southern, Det Insp Featherby said, with 27 people arrested, 19 men and eight women with a total of 95 charges, from blackmail to assault, unlawful detention, money laundering, drugs and theft.
Police have received 158 calls to Crime Stoppers over the murders of the three men, he said.
“In relation to the death of Robert Atkins, or his murder, I can confirm now that we’ve searched areas around Orroroo on five occasions.”
Mr Featherby said on the last occasion they searched an Orroroo well on June 22, but have not yet located his remains.
Police also searched a property at Booborowie, 200km north of Adelaide, where nine firearms were found and a man in his 60s arrested and charged.
Mr Featherby said they can’t rule out if some or one of the firearms found was used in of the murders.
BREAKING: Dozens of Police & detectives are raiding a Lonsdale property.
— Hannah Foord (@HannahFoord7) December 2, 2022
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There is a $200,000 reward for any information that would lead to convictions for Mr Mundy’s murder or the recovery of his body.
“I ask that if anyone is concerned about their safety and has information in relation to Jeff’s murder that they contact Crime Stoppers tonight between 5.00pm and 9.00pm and speak to Taskforce Southern investigators.”
Mr Mundy left their home at 3pm on December 19, 2020, and was seen speaking to an unknown male at the Seaford interchange.
Police believe Mr Mundy got off a bus in Sellicks Beach at 6.30pm and was reported missing by his mother on December 23, 2020.
His family spent the next few months sending out desperate pleas for information related to his whereabouts, saying it was out of character he had not been in contact.
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