Relatives of ‘The Family’ murder victims demand names of suspects be released

Robyn Barnes says the public release of suspects’ names may be the last meaningful action available to relatives of South Australia’s “The Family” murder victims.

“

One of the points is that we have to prove public interest outweighs the orders, and that’s what we’re trying to do

Barnes, the sister of Alan Barnes, is seeking 500,000 signatures for a petition to lift suppression orders that have kept the names secret for 80 years. Five young males were murdered in South Australia between the late 1970s and early 1980s in unsolved abductions that police linked to a group known as “The Family”.

Alan Barnes, 17, was last seen with two other males the night before his body was found beneath the South Para Bridge near Williamstown in June 1979. Police consider the account credible and know the identities of the two men. Mark Langley, Neil Muir, Peter Stogneff and Richard Kelvin were also murdered between 1979 and 1983.

“

We know we will never, ever see the inside of a courtroom. We’re never going to see justice as we know it

Child killer Bevan Spencer von Einem was convicted of murdering 15-year-old Richard Kelvin. Police believed he had connections to “The Family” and the other four killings. Von Einem died of cancer in prison in December 2025 and had refused to cooperate with investigators seeking to identify other perpetrators. Court documents show police told media at the time that the five crimes were linked and sexually motivated.

“

This is the next, best thing we can do for these boys

Barnes said relatives knew they would never see the matter reach a courtroom. A Supreme Court spokesperson said a petition was not required for a court to consider revoking a suppression order. Applications can be made by people including parties to proceedings and media representatives. The investigation remains open.

“

I like to believe in the public, I like to believe they agree with what’s right