POLICE hope one of South Australia’s most notorious cold case murders can still be solved, more than 40 years after a body was found underneath a Williamstown bridge.
Last Wednesday marked 41 years since 17-year-old Alan Barnes was found beneath the South Para Bridge at Williamstown on June 24, 1979.
Mr Barnes is believed to be the first victim of what became to be known as the “Family Murders”, a high-profile list of homicides which included Richard Kelvin, son of Channel 9 News reader Rob Kelvin.
Forensic examination of Mr Barnes’ body found he had died no more than 48 hours before he was found.
It is also known that he was not murdered where his body was found, but the exact location of his murder has never been determined.
His body had been washed and re-dressed after his murder and toxicology tests found he had alcohol and sedative drugs in his system.
Police are yet to confirm Mr Barnes’ movements in the period between him being found missing and his body being found, with a number of unconfirmed sightings provided to police.
One sighting considered to be credible places Mr Barnes in the company of two other males on the evening prior to his body being located.
The two males are known to police and remain suspects in the murder.
South Australia police has offered a reward of $1,000,000, disseminated at the authority of the police commissioner, for information which leads to a conviction in Mr Barnes’ murder.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to (www.crimestopperssa.com.au).
You don’t have to say who you are or get any further involved.