Call to Crime Stoppers key in murder investigation

After discovery of Geoffrey McLean's remains on 24 October 2022 a member of the public called Crime Stoppers and passed on valuable information. Today, South Australia Police (SAPOL) are urging that same person to make contact again.

Investigators say the information provided by that caller was accurate and credible and police now wish to obtain additional information from the caller to help solve Geoffrey's brutal murder.

The human remains of 55-year-old missing person Geoffrey McLean were found on a vacant block on Cheviot Road, Salisbury South on 24 October 2022. Geoffrey had been dismembered with only his torso being found.

Police know Geoffrey returned to his home address at Leicester Grove at Andrews Farm on the afternoon of 18 August 2022. He was reported missing on 29 August 2022.

Prior to this date, between 10 April and 10 May 2022, Geoffrey had been the victim of four violent attacks at his home address which police believe are directly linked to his murder.

To date, there have been 14 calls to Crime Stoppers regarding this murder investigation which police are thankful for. However, Major Crime Detective Inspector Brett Featherby said there is one particular caller that police urgently wish to speak with.

"I ask the member of the public that contacted Crime Stoppers after discovery of Geoffrey's remains in regards to his murder and a previous serious assault, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 so that police can obtain further detail regarding the information provided. Detectives will be available today and tonight to take your call and you can still remain anonymous," said Detective Inspector Featherby.

Today, police are also releasing CCTV footage taken at 4:45am on 24 August 2022 from a nearby industrial premises on Cheviot Road. The footage shows what appears to be two people acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the paddock where Geoffrey's remains were found. Those people captured in the footage were wearing head lamps or carrying torches . It's still unknown if they were involved in the apparent disposal of the bin containing his remains.

Evidence at the scene identified a disturbance to the ground which suggested that those responsible were attempting to bury Geoffrey's torso. Their efforts were abandoned- either due to being disturbed or because it became too difficult. Police believe the suspects may have attended the paddock on more than one occasion. Tools in relatively good condition were located at the scene in Cheviot Road and included two shovels, a post hole digger and a gardening fork.

Police are making enquiries with businesses in the northern suburbs to identify where the tools may have been sourced and to identify purchases around the time of his death.

Police are appealing to anyone with knowledge of the events leading up to Geoffrey's murder, the murder itself or what has been captured in the CCTV footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Members from SAPOL's Major Crime Investigation Branch will be available today and tonight to take your call. You can remain anonymous.

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