Families of young men slain in the notorious South Australian “Family Murders” have launched a public campaign to dismantle decades‑old suppression orders that still shield unnamed suspects linked to the case.

But South Australia Police has issued a blunt warning that lifting those orders could jeopardise any chance of future justice.

The murders claimed the lives of five young men between 1979 and 1983, leaving their families without answers for decades.

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Alan Barnes, 17, was murdered in 1979, followed by Neil Muir, 25, later that year. Peter Stogneff, 14, was killed in 1981, while Mark Langley, 18, was murdered in 1982.

The final known victim was Richard Kelvin, 15, who disappeared from North Adelaide in June 1983 before his body was found weeks later.

The killings were later linked by investigators to a group known as “The Family”. Only one person, Bevan Spencer von Einem, was ever convicted in connection with the killings, facing time for Kelvin’s murder.

No-one has been convicted over the deaths of Barnes, Muir, Stogneff or Langley.

Von Einem was found guilty of killing Richard Kelvin (right), the son of news presenter Rob Kelvin Credit: 7NEWS

Relatives of Barnes and Langley, along with the best friend of Kelvin, have united in a social media push urging South Australians to support the removal of secrecy provisions imposed during court proceedings in the 1980s and 1990s.

Some of those orders will not expire for up to 80 years.

The families argue the restrictions have fuelled decades of speculation, conjecture and conspiracy theories about alleged links between the crimes and influential figures in Adelaide.

They say transparency is essential to restoring public confidence and confronting unanswered questions that have lingered for more than four decades.

“The suspects in this case have been able to hide behind suppression orders for 46 years, living normal, happy lives while victims’ families fight for answers,” relatives say in a dedicated Facebook page.

“Most suspects have now died; there are only a couple still alive.

“We know we will never see the inside of a courtroom with this.

“The next best thing we can do is to lift the suppression orders so their names will always be attached to this case as suspects.

“To do this, part of the lifting conditions is that there must be enough public interest to outweigh the orders.”

Von Einem was charged with the murders of Barnes and Langley after being convicted of killing Kelvin in 1983.

Those charges were later dropped during Supreme Court proceedings that were heavily suppressed. Numerous other orders imposed during his trial remain in force today.

Von Einem died in late 2025.

Bevan Spencer von Einem was only found guilty of the murder of teenager Richard Kelvin Credit: AAP.

But Acting Police Commissioner Linda Williams says the force does not support lifting the orders.

“Investigations into the murders of Alan Barnes, Mark Langley, Neil Muir, Peter Stogneff and Richard Kelvin remain open and active and will remain so until they are resolved,” Williams said.

“There are a number of valid factors why they should remain in place, but of primary concern is the potential to prejudice the administration of justice and the need to preserve evidence in the investigations.

“The suppression orders further support the confidentiality of witnesses who have provided information to police.

“Whilst SAPOL understands the rationale of those behind the current petition, it is highly likely the lifting of the suppression orders would diminish any hope of victim’s families receiving the justice they deserve.”

On Wednesday, the Courts Administration Authority noted that a petition “was not required” for a suppression order review, indicating formal mechanisms already exist to assess whether long‑standing restrictions should be lifted.