Victims' families push to end decades-long secrecy on South Australian murder suspects

A petition seeking half a million public signatures is being spearheaded by Robyn Barnes, sister of Alan Barnes, one of five young men murdered in South Australia between 1979 and 1983. The victims' families argue that the 80-year suppression orders on the suspects' names should be removed to serve the public interest. Police have linked the killings to a covert network known as "The Family," and only Bevan Spencer von Einem has been convicted, for the murder of Richard Kelvin, before his death in December 2025.

While the Attorney-General, Kyam Maher, says the state has no objection to the orders being lifted, he stresses that any application must come from eligible parties, not the government. A Supreme Court spokesperson clarified that a petition is not required for a court to consider revoking the orders. The investigations remain active, and authorities urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.