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.

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.

REPLAY THE PRESS CONFERENCE

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.”

Police raid a property at Lonsdale over the murder of missing man Jeff Mundy. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Police outside the entry to the Lonsdale property as its raided. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

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.

Police at the Lonsdale property, searching for evidence in the murder of Jeff Mundy. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

“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.
More to [e-mail]/v0U1ooBHwo

— Hannah Foord (@HannahFoord7) December 2, 2022

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.

UNRAVELLING THE RIDDLE

FEBRUARY 5, 2019
Trevor King is believed to have been lured to a house where he was unlawfully detained and tortured for up to six hours over a drug debt that blew out to $50,000.
Some debt was paid and he was let go, after he was forced to clean up the scene of the crime. Four people were arrested and charged with unlawful detention and serious assault.
Police believe as a result of pressure and intimidation, Mr King withdrew his statement and the alleged offenders were released. Mr King fled to Queensland where he remained for a considerable period, before returning to South Australia a few months before his death in 2020.

JANUARY 4, 2020
Mr King was found dead in the water at West Lakes. Police ruled out any suspicious activity, declaring it an overdose. However, his mobile phone remained active in the area.
Police now believe his death was staged to look like an overdose.

AUGUST 2020
A 2010 black Jeep Cherokee registered number S556AJE is stolen from Millswood.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020
CCTV captures Robert Atkins with another person committing crimes in Adelaide’s North.
The two men visited Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi and BWS in Gepps Cross as well as Liquorland and Bank SA in Port Adelaide.
Police now believe Mr Atkins had been held against his will for about a week prior and assaulted. It is believed Mr Atkins thought if he obeyed the direction of his captors he would be let go. 

NOVEMBER 16, 2020
Mr Atkins is believed to have been murdered at daybreak within the area of Port Pirie and Booborowie and his body left near Orroroo. It is believed he was taken to the area in the stolen 2010 Jeep. It was later captured by a safety camera on its way back to Adelaide near Willaston. 
He isn’t reported missing until nearly two months later in January.

DECEMBER 19, 2020
The last day Jeff Mundy is seen alive. He was captured on CCTV at a chemist in the Colonnades Shopping Centre at Noarlunga, before returning home to his parent’s house.
At 3pm he left 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. Police say his whereabouts from then on are unknown.

DECEMBER 23, 2020
Mr Mundy is reported missing by his mother. His family spends 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. 
“He was last seen leaving his Seaford address … his phone hasn’t been turned on, no cash and wasn’t wearing a shirt at the time,” a friend said in January.
“Any information would be of great help. His family and friends are absolutely shattered at this point as it’s out of character for Jeff to not make contact.”

JANUARY 2, 2021
Mr Atkins is reported missing by his mother.

JULY 22, 2021
Detectives search a house on Mander Road at Christie Downs – Mr Atkins last known address. Detectives seized sections of flooring for forensic analysis.
They spent several hours at the house, before returning the following day to remove a couch. 

AUGUST 21, 2021 
A Seaford man, 31, is arrested for the unlawful detention of Mr Atkins. 

AUGUST 26, 2021
An Aldinga man, 33, is arrested for the unlawful detention of Mr Atkins. A Seacombe Gardens man, 46, was charged with drug offences, which arose during the investigation.

AUGUST 27, 2021
A Seaford man, 33, is charged with unlawful detention and aggravated assault in relation to Mr Atkins.

DECEMBER 1, 2021
Major Crime detectives announce 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 Atkins, Mr Mundy and Mr King.

Originally published as Task Force Southern: Police raid Lonsdale property over suspected murder of Jeff Mundy