The area police believe the green Daewoo may have been bogged on February 7, 2019. PHOTO: Supplied
POLICE believe a “well-meaning passer-by” who helped remove a bogged vehicle in the Adelaide Plains may hold the key to the disappearance and suspected murder of 32-year-old Michael Jeffrey Purse last year.
In a press conference on Monday, South Australia police revealed they believed Mr Purse met with foul play around Thursday, Febuary 7, 2019, despite him not being reported missing until April 24.
According to police, it is known Mr Purse was involved in the illicit drug trade, as well as fraud offending, with associates in Adelaide’s western and southern suburbs.
Officer in Charge of Major Crime Investigation Branch Superintendent Des Bray said Mr Purse spent the evening of February 6 in the Adelaide CBD and at the Adelaide Casino before attending Unit 17/415 at Churchill Road, Kilburn.
Detectives suggest Mr Purse was likely killed at the Kilburn address in the early hours of the following morning on Thursday February 7, before his body was stowed in the boot of a green 2000 Daewoo Lanos Hatch, later captured driving north of the city by traffic cameras nearby Globe Derby Park.
“Sometime between 5am and 8.30am, that vehicle has become bogged in the Adelaide Plains region”, said Supt. Bray.
“Finding themselves in broad daylight, the parties involved have aborted their attempt to dispose of Mr Purse’s body, and returned to the Kilburn unit.”
Detectives believe that in the early hours of Friday 8 February, the offenders subsequently returned to the Adelaide Plains and disposed of Mr Purse’s body.
“It’s our belief that an unknowing member of the public assisted in freeing the bogged Daewoo, but we are yet to identify that person,” Supt. Bray said.
“We’re imploring that witness who helped to free them from the bog to please phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 between 5pm and 9pm this evening, and ask to speak with Major Crime.”
The area police believe the vehicle could have become bogged stretches from Lewiston, west up to Long Plains, north to Grace Plains and Hamley Bridge and East to Wasleys or Kangaroo Flat.
