SA court lifts suppression on identity of Victor Codea, allegedly murdered in carpark of Adelaide High School

A secrecy order on the identity of the man allegedly murdered in the Adelaide High School carpark has been lifted – revealing his alleged involvement in a criminal enterprise before his death.

Police examine the crime scene at Adelaide High School on West Terrace on August 29. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

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The man who was allegedly bashed to death outside Adelaide High School was himself facing drug trafficking charges, court documents assert.

On Monday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court lifted a suppression order on the identity of alleged murder victim Victor Codea.

Prosecutors have previously alleged Codea, 24, of Ridleyton, was murdered by a 23-year-old man – whose identity remains suppressed – on August 28.

They have alleged he was “set upon” by a group of men in a “vicious” attack that left him on the brink of death.

Codea was placed in an induced coma due to serious brain injuries, but died on September 6 – the charges against the 23-year-old were then upgraded to murder.

Police have further alleged the 23-year-old was a “major part” of both enticing Codea to the school and in the subsequent attack.

Victor Codea was allegedly bashed and later died in the carpark of Adelaide High School. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Court documents assert Codea had yet to plead to one count of trafficking in a controlled drug, and one count of trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

Those offences allegedly occurred at Klemzig and Adelaide on May 4 this year.

Codea was jointly charged with four other men – none of whom are his alleged murderer, who will face court again in November.

Originally published as SA court lifts suppression on identity of Victor Codea, allegedly murdered in carpark of Adelaide High School