SA Police detectives plea for answers in Paralowie cold case killing of Kenny Camplin

It was a 42 minute period in the middle of the night in which Kenny Camplin’s life ended — and what happened to the Paralowie man in those early hours remains a complete mystery.

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At 1.26am on December 27 in 2013 Paralowie man Kenny Camplin sent an innocuous text to a mate.

Just 42 minutes later, his mobile telephone was disconnected from its network.

Major Crime detectives believe it is highly likely the final moments of Mr Camplin’s life took place in that 42-minute window.

For all intents and purposes, Kenny Camplin died at 2.18am that day.

While detectives are certain he has been murdered, mystery surrounds almost every aspect of the case – including why he was killed, where he was killed and the whereabouts of his body.

Major Crime case officer Detective Brevet Sergeant Mike Newbury said Mr Camplin’s activities in the days leading up to his murder had provided no clues in the baffling case.

On Christmas Day, Mr Camplin, 44, travelled to the Barossa Valley to visit a friend at Lyndoch.

He returned to his Elder Ct home the next morning and made several calls to friends.

At 12.25am on December 27, CCTV captured him going through a nearby McDonald’s drive-through.

He went home from there – with the receipt from his purchase found at his home.

At 1.26am he sent the text to a mate. It was initially sent to the wrong phone number, as his mate had two phones. At 2.18 his phone disconnected.

It has never come back on and, like its owner, is also still missing.

Paralowie man Kenneth "Kenny" Camplin, 44. Picture: SAPOL

“That is when the silence begins,’’ Detective Bvt Sgt Newbury said.

“From that point on he has had no access to his bank account, mobile phone and there are no sightings.

“Our concern is between that last text message at 1.26am and the 2.18am disconnection – a 42-minute window – something has happened to him.’’

Over the ensuing three days associates were trying to find him, but could not. It was not until Monday, December 30 that his brother and a close mate went to his home, only to find it open and Mr Camplin’s starving dog the only inhabitant.

A missing person’s report was filed at 3.10pm.

“He was particularly fond of his dog and this was seen as out of place,’’ Detective Bvt Sgt Newbury said.

“We do not know if he died at the house, did he voluntarily leave the house, we just don’t know.’’

While detectives do not have a firm motive as yet, investigations have discovered Mr Camplin had been involved in several minor disputes with different people at the time he vanished.

Further complicating the scenario is the fact Mr Camplin was known to police. He was a low-level drug dealer and user. He supplied friends and catered for parties.

And while many of his associates have been co-operative and assisting detectives, two have lied and obstructed the investigation.

This has obviously focused police attention on their motives for doing so, marking them as suspects.

The former Paralowie home of missing man Kenny Camplin

“It certainly strikes us as unusual that people would not want to help when a mate has disappeared, but that does not mean they have done it,’’ Detective Bvt Sgt Newbury said. “They have lied and obstructed, but it is not clear why. They might not have been involved at all, it might just be these are people who for whatever reason have been given bad advice by friends.’’

The minor disputes Mr Camplin had been involved in ranged from “social issues’’ to one involving a former employer.

“There were girls coming and going that perhaps their boyfriends were not that happy about,’’ Detective Bvt Sgt Newbury said.

“We also know he had a WorkCover dispute going on as well, but whether these things had any bearing on what has happened we don’t know.

“There were a whole bunch of things going on, but we can’t at this point say what the significance of each was.’’

He said the fact several of Mr Camplin’s associates were obstructing the inquiry may be because of the fact they are also drug users and “want to protect their lifestyle from police intrusion’’.

“There are some people who desperately miss Kenny and know something is wrong and want police to get to the bottom of it,’’ Detective Bvt Sgt Newbury said.

“There are others who don’t particularly care one way or another and try to avoid participating.’’

Detectives have also had to deal with numerous rumours concerning possible motives that have been circulating within the drug community in the northern suburbs. Each has been investigated but none have been able to progress inquiry.

Detectives are hopeful a reward of up to $200,000 for a conviction in the case that is available may help solve it.

“Five years has now passed, relationships have moved on and I am certain that one or more people know exactly what happened and who did it,’’ Det. Bvt. Sgt. Newbury said.

“If they want the reward they should come forward. The money is there and we want people to claim it.’’