Bio

Bevan Spencer von Einem was born around 1945 in Adelaide, South Australia. He grew up in a middle-class family and had a typical childhood for his time. He was an average student and showed an interest in academics, later pursuing a career in accounting.

During his early adulthood, he trained as an accountant and began working in that field. On the outside, he seemed to live a normal life, engaging in everyday activities and forming social connections. However, he had a complex personal life. Several years into adulthood, he became known in the local community for a heroic act that occurred in 1972, when he saved a man from drowning in the River Torrens. This incident garnered some media attention.

Bevan's life took a darker turn over the next few years. He was linked to a series of troubling rumors and incidents in the Adelaide area concerning young men. Many in the community began to question his relationships with boys and young men, and his behavior drew suspicion.

Murder Story

On the evening of June 5, 1983, Bevan Spencer Von Einem abducted 15-year-old Richard Kelvin in North Adelaide, just a short distance from Kelvin’s home. Witnesses reported hearing cries for help and the sounds of car doors slamming as a vehicle sped away. Richard, who had been at a nearby bus stop, was last seen with a dog collar that may have attracted Von Einem’s attention.

Von Einem held Richard captive for five weeks in a location that was not disclosed to the public. During that time, Richard was tortured and drugged. On July 24, 1983, his body was found on an airstrip near One Tree Hill in the Adelaide Hills area. An autopsy revealed that Richard had died from massive blood loss caused by severe anal injuries, likely inflicted by a blunt object. There were also signs of prolonged drug use, with traces of hypnotic medications found in his system.

Following the discovery of Richard’s body, police began their investigation. They found a prescription for the drug Mandrax in Von Einem's name, which linked him to the situation. Four days after the body was found, Von Einem was questioned by police. He initially denied any involvement and claimed he was sick in bed during the time of the abduction. Police also searched his home and seized bottles of Mandrax and Noctec, drugs that were linked to Richard’s death.

As the investigation continued, forensic evidence began to accumulate against Von Einem. Fibers and hairs found on Richard's clothing matched those from Von Einem's home. Investigators determined that Richard was likely murdered between July 8 and July 10, 1983, and dumped soon after.

In November 1983, after mounting evidence, Von Einem was arrested and charged with murder. His trial began in October 1984. Despite his defense claiming he had no contact with Richard on the night of the abduction, the evidence suggested otherwise. Witnesses testified about the abduction, and forensic experts provided crucial information about the timeline and the circumstances of Richard's death.

On November 5, 1984, after hours of deliberation, the jury found Von Einem guilty of murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period set at 36 years. This case was significant, not only for Richard Kelvin but also as Von Einem became a prime suspect in at least four other unsolved murders of young men in the Adelaide area.

The unsolved cases included Alan Barnes, Neil Muir, Peter Stogneff, and Mark Langley, all believed to be murdered between 1979 and 1982. The circumstances of these murders were similar to that of Richard Kelvin’s. In subsequent years, investigations into these other murders continued, but the challenges in securing enough evidence to charge Von Einem again remained.