Major Crime detectives search Pinkerton Plains property in Michael Purse murder investigation
Detectives combed a property on the Adelaide Plains as part of their investigation into the murder of Michael Purse, but did not find the missing man’s body. They say they’re not finished yet.
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Major Crime detectives have searched a property north of Adelaide as part of their investigation into the murder of missing man Michael Purse.
Mr Purse, 32, was last seen in February last year in Adelaide’s CBD, where police believe he was lured to an unit in Adelaide’s western suburbs and killed.
Information provided to police this week led them on Thursday to a property at Coleman Rd, Pinkerton Plains, where a search was conducted by STAR Group officers with assistance from the State Emergency Service.
Detective Superintendent Des Bray, head of the Major Crime Investigation Branch, spoke outside the residence.
He said the Pinkerton Plains property – which belongs to a family member of one of the three suspects believed to be involved in the murder – would be one of several searched on the Adelaide Plains in coming weeks.
THE STORY SO FAR...
Michael Jeffrey Purse’s family appeal for information on his disappearance and presumed murder
Mr Purse’s body was not recovered during Thursday’s operation.
Det-Supt Bray stressed the owners of the property had nothing to do with Mr Purse’s murder, and said police now have a clear understanding of how he was killed and are seeking the two weapons used – which cannot be disclosed for the purpose of the investigation.
“We had about 32 people here today conducting a search, we know how Michael was killed and what was used to kill him and today we were looking for a couple of items associated with his death,” Det-Supt Bray said.
They were also searching for a green rug, which police believe offenders wrapped Mr Purse’s body in before putting him in the boot of a green 2000 Daewoo Lanos hatchback to dump.
The vehicle was filmed by CCTV cameras near Globe Derby Park before becoming bogged, with two passers-by stopping to offer assistance.
Det-Supt Bray said the good Samaritans who helped free the vehicle called Crime Stoppers with information to assist them with the investigation.
“They had very crystal clear memory of what these offenders looked like and the conversations they had with them,” he said.
Det-Supt Bray said he was certain the two people in the green Daewoo were principal offenders to the murder.
“I’ve got no doubt this investigation is heading in the right direction and were looking at a good outcome,” he said.
Police seized a number of items from the property as a result of Thursday’s search, but were unable to say whether they will relate to the case.
Det-Supt Bray told a media conference on Monday that Mr Purse was picked up at the Adelaide Casino the previous day and taken to a unit at Churchill Rd, Kilburn.
“We know that he stayed there until the early hours of Thursday the 7th of February and in the early hours of the morning that he was killed by some of the occupants,” he said.
“At the time of his death, we believe there were three men present and also a couple of females and three or more of those people played a role in his death and others may have assisted.”
Mr Purse’s family appealed last October for public help to find him, with police declaring his disappearance a major crime.
A known drug user and fraudster, Mr Purse had moved from Queensland to Adelaide about a decade ago.
Anyone with information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
Detective Superintendent Des Bray said items were seized from this property to investigate. He said Michael Jeffrey Purse’s body was wrapped in a floral green rug before it was placed in the boot of a green Daewoo @theTiser pic.twitter.com/IiXUmEgo2p
— Dixie Sulda (@dixie_sulda) May 7, 2020