Two more arrests over bashing of suspected murder victim Trevor King

Task Force Southern detectives have made two more arrests in connection with the brutal assault of suspected murder victim Trevor King.

Detectives have made two more arrests in connection with the brutal assault of suspected murder victim Trevor King – one of three cases investigated by Task Force Southern.

On Thursday, Major Crime officers charged two men, aged 39 and 33, over an unlawful detention and aggravated assault that allegedly occurred at North Plympton in February 2019, more than 12 months before Mr King’s body was found in the water at West Lakes.

The pair alongside two other suspects were arrested and charged with the offences in early 2019, however the charges were withdrawn that September.

A cold case review of the investigation by Task Force Southern led to the recent arrests.

It comes shortly after a 25-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man were also arrested as part of the review.

Robert Atkins (left) Trevor King (middle) and Jeff Mundy (right). Picture: Emma Brasier.

Police at a scene on Morrow Road in Lonsdale as part of the investigation into the suspected murder of Jeff Mundy. Picture: David Mariuz

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.

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 death of Trevor King and the disappearances and suspected murders of Robert Atkins and Jeffrey Mundy.

The men charged on Thursday did not apply for bail.

The 39-year-old appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday February 2 while the

the 33-year-old appeared on Friday, February 3.

Investigations will continue and police have appealed to anyone that may have information to contact Crime Stoppers.

Originally published as Two more arrests over bashing of suspected murder victim Trevor King