Matt Leveson case: Michael Atkins keeps fit as hunt for lover’s body wraps up

MICHAEL Atkins has refused to let the continuing saga surrounding the search for the body of his young lover derail his workouts as a petition to ban him from the gay nightclub scene intensifies.

MICHAEL Atkins has refused to let the continuing saga surrounding the search for the body of his young lover derail his high-intensity efforts working on his own body in Brisbane.

The 53-year-old was snapped pushing himself in a gym in the Brisbane suburb of Bowen Hills on Friday, despite the fact petitions have been launched in the gay community to get Atkins banned from gay nightclubs across the country.

It follows last week’s decision to abandon the eight-day search for the body of his young lover, Matt Leveson, who Atkins told police he buried nine years ago in the Royal National Park.

The 53-year-old had an intensive gym session.

Michael Atkins works out at the YMCA Gym at Bowen Hills, Brisbane.

Atkins was acquitted of his lover’s murder in 2009.

Atkins, acquitted of Mr Leveson’s murder in 2009, was the focus of a petition on change.org seeking signatures to get his local haunt, The Beat Nightclub, to ban him. “In light of the recent events surrounding Matt Leveson and the search for his body in NSW bushland ... it is proposed that The Beat Nightclub ban Mr Atkins from attending this nightspot and hope that other gay nightspots across Australia will follow suit,” the petition states.

Michael Atkins and Matthew Leveson during their relationship.

Mr Leveson was last seen on September 23, 2007 as he left a Sydney gay club with Atkins, with whom he was living at Cronulla.

Mr Leveson’s parents were devastated by the end of the search because they thought the only way they were going to be able to find their son and give him a proper burial would be through information from Atkins.