Push for Justice: Families Demand Release of Suspects' Names in 'The Family' Killings

Relatives of victims from the infamous 'Family' murders are rallying for public backing to unseal the identities of suspects tied to a series of brutal killings in South Australia during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The group, known as 'The Family,' is believed to have been involved in the abductions and murders of five young men, including Alan Barnes, whose body was discovered in June 1979.

Robyn Barnes, sister of Alan, is spearheading a petition aimed at gathering 500,000 signatures to lift 80-year suppression orders on the names of those suspected of involvement. So far, she has received substantial support on social media, expressing hope that this momentum will translate into tangible signatures.

Among those previously implicated is Bevan Spencer von Einem, the only individual convicted in connection to the case, specifically for the murder of 15-year-old Richard Kelvin. While he passed away in prison from cancer in December 2025, he was linked to the wider group believed to be responsible for the other four murders: Mark Langley, Neil Muir, Peter Stogneff, and Kelvin.

Police have labeled these crimes as sexually motivated serial killings, and Ms. Barnes, along with other families, believes that public pressure could help facilitate a judicial review of the suppression orders. However, a spokesperson from the Supreme Court clarified that a petition is not strictly necessary for lifting such orders; interested parties can apply directly.

SA Attorney-General Kyam Maher has stated that the government does not oppose lifting the suppression orders but emphasizes that it should not be a political decision. He confirmed that any applications to lift these orders would need to come from the right investigative authorities, as they hold the most relevant information regarding ongoing inquiries into these unsolved murders.

Source: www.abc.net.au