Triple murder probe: Three unsolved slayings involving drug users and dealers in the Adelaide’s southern suburbs linked

Three brutal murders – one a faked suicide – were allegedly committed by the same group of offenders in Adelaide’s south, involving drug debts and extreme torture.

Police say three unsolved murders involving victims from Adelaide’s southern suburbs are now believed to be linked.

Major Crime detectives have formed Task Force Southern – one of the largest investigations of its type, involving 42 detectives, intelligence officers and forensic scientists – to investigate the three murders. At least two of the victims were detained and tortured.

All involve victims and suspects believed to have been associated with the methamphetamine scene. Police say there are up to 15 offenders and are re-examining a number of drug overdoses in the southern suburbs that could potentially be additional victims.

“We are looking at the possibility that there may be other deaths, in particular overdose deaths that have been staged. With the benefit of hindsight they may be suspicious,” Detective Superintendent Des Bray said on Wednesday.

Drug debts were allegedly a motive in at least some of the killings.

The three killings are:

■ Robert Atkins, 31, from the southern suburbs. He was held captive and tortured for up to a week, then moved and eventually murdered at Port Pirie. His body has not been found.

■ Trevor King, 41, from the southern suburbs. His body was found at West Lakes in January 2020 but his death was initially treated as a suicide. He had been tortured with a blow torch and his hands smashed.

■ Jeff Mundy, 36, from the southern suburbs. He was last seen in CCTV footage at a chemist on December 19, 2020, and police say there is no evidence consistent with him being alive.

Robert Atkins, who disappeared in January, is believed to have been murdered. Picture: SA Police

Jeff Mundy, 36, was last seen at Noarlunga on December 19, 2020.

“It is alleged the men have all been murdered by low-level drug dealers and petty criminals, who get together with others to bully, threaten and stand over others,” Det Supt Bray said.

He reassured the public that this was not a serial killer, describing the suspects as bullies turned low-level drug dealers.

“They would try to talk themselves into being criminals but in reality they are thugs and bullies who gang up and beat up people, who wreak havoc on their community. We’re not talking about gangs or organised crime,” he said.

“We will investigate this and we will be successful and we will hold them to account.”

Some of the suspects are already in custody on other matters.

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TREVOR KING

Police believe Mr King was lured to a house on February 5, 2019, where he was unlawfully detained and tortured for up to six hours – beaten, burned with a blow torch, set alight and his hands smashed with a bat.

Detective Superintendent Des Bray with a graphic showing where Trevor King’s body was found, and his phone activity. Picture Dean Martin

He owed a $1000 drug debt that spiralled to $10,000 and then $50,000 when he did not repay it on time.

Trevor King’s body was found at West Lakes. Picture Dean Martin

They say some of the debt was paid and he was let go, after being forced to clean up the crime scene.

Four suspects were arrested and charged with unlawful detention and serious assault.

Later that year after what police suspect was pressure and intimidation, Mr King withdrew his statement and the suspects were released. He fled to Queensland where he remained for some time before returning to SA a few months before his death.

Police now believe his death was staged to look like an overdose.

Mr King’s phone was active in the area after his death and police are investigating who had the device.

ROBERT ATKINS

Police say Robert Atkins, 29, of Christie Downs, was held against his will and assaulted for up to a week at a Christie Downs house before being moved to Seaford.

He was forced to commit crimes for his captors, believing he would be let go if he complied. There is CCTV of him in a store with a person of interest in the investigation.

He later taken to Port Pirie between November 16-17, 2020, where he was murdered.

Police believe his body was dumped near Orroroo but his remains have not been found.

Police say he was transported in a 2010 black Jeep Cherokee with the registration plate S556AJE.

Mr Atkins had not used his phone or bank accounts since November 2020, and was later reported missing by his mother in January.

Three men have already been arrested and charged with unlawful detention over the Robert Atkins investigation.

A Seaford man, 31, was arrested on August 21 and an Aldinga man, 33, on August 26.

The third man, 33, from Seaford was arrested on August 27 and also faces charges of aggravated assault.

A Seacombe Gardens man, 46, was charged with drug offences on August 26 arising through the investigation.

Robert Atkins, in light blue, with another man under investigation by Operation Southern detectives. Picture Dean Martin

Major Crime detectives remove a sofa from a home in Christie Downs on July 23, 2021, as they investigate the disappearance of Robert Atkins. Picture: Tom Huntley

Police allege this car was used to transport Robert Atkins. They say he was murdered near Port Pirie and his body was dumped near Orroroo, but has not been found.

JEFF MUNDY

Jeff Mundy was reported missing by police on Christmas Day last year. His last-known location was getting off a bus at Sellicks Beach on December 20, 2020.

Jeff Mundy in one of his last-known sightings.

The 36-year-old was last seen at his home address in Seaford around 2am on December 20, 2020.

He filled a script at a chemist at Colonnades Shopping Centre on December 19 and returned home around 3pm.

At 4pm he was spotted at the Seaford exchange talking to a male unknown to police. At 6.30pm he got off a bus on 143 Alexander Beach at Sellicks Beach but police are unsure where he went after that.

He was described as caucasian, about 172cm tall, 100kg, stocky build with a shaved head, green/blue eyes and a large tattoo on his left shoulder. He was last seen wearing black shorts without a shirt and carrying a backpack.

Mr Mundy’s body is believed to have been disposed of somewhere on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

The last sighting of Jeff Mundy was on CCTV as he filled a script at a chemist a Colonnades Shopping Centre.

Detective Inspector Brett Featherby, of the Major Crime investigation branch, had previously said police now knew Mr Atkins had been murdered.

“What we are aware of is Robert was held against his will and assaulted for four-seven days prior to his death,” he said on Friday.

Immediately before his disappearance, Mr Atkins – who was known to police – was staying with friends at a home on Mander Road at Christie Downs.

Prior to that, he moved from house-to-house while maintaining irregular contact with his family.

Police seized two cars and investigated their usage in the days leading up to Mr Atkins’ murder.

They also searched homes in Mander Rd, Christie Downs and Halyard Cres, Seaford and a rural property at Booborowie.