John Justin Bunting was born on September 4, 1966. He grew up in a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. As a child, Bunting had a difficult experience when he was eight years old. He was beaten and sexually assaulted by an older brother of a friend. This event had a significant impact on his life.

Bunting showed early interests in weaponry, photography, and anatomy. These interests developed over the years and were accompanied by a growing dislike for certain groups of people, particularly pedophiles and homosexuals.

At the age of 22, Bunting began working at an abattoir. He often spoke about his experiences at work. He claimed to enjoy slaughtering animals, highlighting a disturbing pleasure in his job.

In 1991, Bunting moved to a house in Salisbury North. After moving, he made friends with his neighbors, Robert Joe Wagner and Mark Haydon.

John Bunting was involved in a series of brutal murders that took place in South Australia between 1992 and 1999. He chose his victims based on his own beliefs and biases. Many of the victims were accused by Bunting of being pedophiles, homosexuals, or considered "weak." Some were friends or acquaintances; others were family members.

One of the first victims was Clinton Trezise, a 20-year-old who was killed in Bunting's living room in 1992 after being invited over for a visit. Bunting later buried him in a shallow grave. Next was Ray Allan Peter Davies, an intellectually disabled man. After Bunting and his associates tortured and killed him, his body was also buried on the property previously occupied by Bunting.

Bunting targeted Suzanne Allen, claiming she died of a heart attack, but authorities suspect he murdered her. He continued to collect her pension after her death. Michelle Gardiner was another victim; she was a transgender woman who was killed and had her body disposed of in a barrel. Vanessa Lane was tortured and killed after Bunting and his associates tried to extract information about her finances.

Thomas Trevilyan was also murdered after being accused by Bunting. He was found hanging from a tree, and his death was initially ruled a suicide. Gavin Allan Porter, a friend of Bunting’s associate, was killed next; he managed to stab Bunting but was ultimately overpowered. Troy Youde, Bunting's half-brother, was killed under similar circumstances, followed by Frederick Brooks.

Another victim was Gary O'Dwyer, who was disabled. Bunting and his associates lured him in for drinks before torturing him for hours. Elizabeth Haydon, Mark Haydon’s wife, was also murdered because she knew about the killings. Finally, David Johnson was lured to Snowtown and murdered when he arrived.

The bodies of multiple victims were found stored in barrels in a disused bank vault in Snowtown in May 1999. An investigation revealed that the victims had been hidden in various locations before their discovery. The police arrested Bunting and several others shortly after the bodies were found. They were later tried and convicted for the murders. Bunting received eleven life sentences without the possibility of parole.