Robert Atkins: Human bones found on property in remote South Australian bushland believed to belong to alleged murder victim
Robert Atkins: Human bones found on property in remote South Australian bushland believed to belong to alleged murder victim
- Robert Atkins, 29, last seen alive November 2021
- Remains found in a remote property in South Australia
Police are investigating whether the human remains found in South Australia are those of an alleged murder victim.
Human remains have been found on a property in the middle of the state, and they could be those of Robert Atkins, believed to be the victim of a drug-related murder.
Detectives from Task Force Southern returned to the area on Wednesday and confirmed the discovery of remains hidden in isolated undergrowth at a property in Minvalara, southeast of Orroroo.
They will remain on site, along with forensic response agents, a forensic anthropologist and state emergency service volunteers.
Human remains have been found at a site in central northern South Australia and may be those of Robert Atkins (pictured), believed to be the victim of a drug-related murder
Detectives from Task Force Southern returned to the area on Wednesday and confirmed the discovery of remains hidden in isolated undergrowth at a property in Minvalara, southeast of Orroroo (image from a previous police search)
Atkins’ death is one of three being investigated by the task force and thought to be linked to Adelaide’s drug trade.
Sean Clive Phypers, 32, was charged with murder this year, while four other people were charged in connection with his alleged detention.
Police previously said it was alleged that Mr Atkins was attacked several times and detained in a number of locations before being taken to the center of the SA and killed.
The 29-year-old’s death was thought to be drug-related, along with those of two other men, Trevor King and Jeff Mundy.
Sean Clive Phypers (pictured), 32, was charged with Atkins’ murder this year, while four other people were charged in connection with his alleged detention
Mr King, 41, was found dead in the West Lakes suburb of West Lakes in January 2020, with police believing his death was staged to appear like a suicide.
In the months before his death, he was subject to illegal detention and severe beatings as a result of a drug debt.
Mr Mundy, 36, was last seen in December 2020. His body has not been found and police believe it was disposed of somewhere on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula.