Trio charged with Michael Jeffrey Purse’s murder to remain in custody, identity of two revealed

The three men accused of murdering Michael Jeffrey Purse will remain in custody, as the identity of two of the men charged can be revealed.

Three men charged with the murder of Michale Purse will remain in custody after making no application for bail. Picture: Australian Federal Police

The identity of two out three men charged with murdering a South Australian man last seen more than two years ago can be revealed.

Edwin James Hinrichsen, 36, David Graham Young, 39, and a third man — whose identity cannot be revealed to the public — were arrested and charged with the murder of Michael Jeffrey Purse on Wednesday.

SA Police have previously alleged the victim was lured to a unit on Churchill Rd in Kilburn where he was murdered.

They claimed his body was put into the boot of a dark green 2000 Daewoo hatchback which was later driven to the Adelaide Plains to be dumped.

Mr Purse’s body has not yet been found.

Michael Jeffrey Purse was allegedly murdered by Mr Hinrichsen, Mr Young and a third man. Picture: Supplied

Superintendent Des Bray alleged Mr Purse’s body was transported in a dark green Daewoo in February 2019. Picture: Supplied

The three accused fronted the Adelaide Magistrates Court for the first time on Thursday where they all made no application for bail.

The third person charged with the murder, a 24-year-old man, was the first of the three to appear via video link where his defence lawyer Andrew Graham asked for his client’s identity to remain suppressed.

Mr Graham’s submission was granted by Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos.

Mr Purse, 32, was reported missing in late April, 2019 but was last seen in Adelaide’s CBD more than two months earlier on February 6.

His disappearance was declared a major crime in May 2019, with investigations leading to a number of locations being searched.

The trio were arrested at addresses in Adelaide, Northfield and Prospect.

They are due to reappear in court in September.