Oakleigh South body identified as missing graphic artist
A DEAD man found in a barrel at Oakleigh South has been identified as a Melbourne graphic artist who has been missing for 17 years. Read about his life before he disappeared.
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A DEAD man found in a barrel at Oakleigh South has been identified as a missing Melbourne graphic artist.
John Christianos — who would now be aged 56 — was last seen at his Bentleigh East home on June 11, 2001.
He was found 17 years later, 3.4km away, in a bin at a Milgate St, Oakleigh South, storage business on July 13 this year. Tradesmen clearing the business made the awful discovery.
HUMAN REMAINS FOUND IN OAKLEIGH SOUTH
The disappearance of Mr Christianos had been the subject of police investigation and detectives had appealed for sightings as well as placing him on the National Missing Persons Register in the past.
Items he owned, including a motorcycle and a car, were never collected after he vanished, indicating he had been murdered.
A 2011 inquest was unable to determine the circumstances of South Australian-born Mr Christianos’ death or where it happened.
The troubled Mr Christianos lived at Gaynor Lodge on Warrigal Rd and was reported missing by other residents.
He was regarded as a skilled graphic artist but was also what Coroner Kim Parkinson described as “psychologically fragile”.
Mr Christianos had a “significant history of police contact” and previous brushes with the law for drug and violence offences.
Before he vanished, Mr Christianos had a number of altercations with other residents at the lodge and was estranged from his family.
He left Gaynor Lodge, where he had lived for six months, and punctually paid his rent on June 11, 2001, after making no apparent preparations to disappear and contacted no one since.
Missing persons squad head, detective Insp. Andrew Stamper, appealed for anyone with information to come forward, adding there were people who would know what had happened.
“As we always say, circumstances and relationships change and this might feel like the right time to come forward with information,” he said.
“Clearly, something significant has happened after John left his home.”
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au
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