SA Police launch homicide investigation following death of Bill Frangos in Woodville Gardens

Police allege a man who had a history of cultivating cannabis was murdered before his house was set on fire.

Police are appealing for any information about the alleged murder of a 72-year-old man in Adelaide after his house was set alight.

Emergency services were called after a member of the public noticed a fire at the front of the house at 3 Essex St, Woodville Gardens shortly after 4am on Thursday.

Bill Frangos’s body was found inside the home by firefighters.

Police have since launched a homicide investigation into Mr Frangos’s death.

Bill Frangos was allegedly murdered before his Woodville Gardens home was set alight. Picture: SA Police.

Major Crime Acting Operations Inspector Detective Matthew Fitzpatrick said police believed the fire was lit shortly before 4am on Thursday and urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.

“The investigation is progressing very well and despite the fire, we have recovered evidence from within the house and we are receiving excellent cooperation from the community,” he said.

“Police are maintaining an open mind in respect to the motive and who may be responsible for Bill’s murder but believe it may be someone known to him.

“We’re asking anyone who had contact with Bill in the last six weeks to contact Crime Stoppers or anyone who has direct information to Bill’s murder … if you’re scared or worried about your involvement in that or information you have … we can assist you with any concerns you have.

“We are seeking anyone with dashcam footage (from November 6 to 7).

“Please help the family find answers of what has occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning.

“If you have answers please contact us to help us solve this murder.”

Police are continuing their investigations. Picture: RoyVPhotography

Police found a jerry can on the front lawn of Mr Frangos’s property that they believe contained petrol before the fire was set.

Inspector Fitzpatrick said police were “keeping an open mind” about all possibilities and motives for the alleged murder, including Mr Frangos’s alleged involvement in cannabis cultivation.

“There’s some information that there was cannabis involved in relation to this incident and we’re looking into that,” he said.

“Items usually used to cultivated cannabis have been removed from a number of premises associated with Bill.”

The body of Bill Frangos was found inside the home on Thursday. Picture: RoyVPhotography

Inspector Fitzpatrick said Mr Frangos had two premises on Essex St and was “historically” known to police for cultivating cannabis.

“Bill was a long-term resident of 3 Essex St and was well known there,” he said.

“He was known to have a large dog that was protective of him and the house and the front gate was habitually locked and padlocked.

“There were regular visitors to 3 Essex St.”

Inspector Fitzpatrick said police believed the person or persons who allegedly murdered Mr Frangos were known to him.

“Our inquiries are focusing round Bill’s movement, but we’re suspecting at this time Bill was murdered shortly before the fire,” he said.

Police confirmed Mr Frangos’s dog was found unharmed in the backyard.