Disturbing theory after human remains found on vacant Adelaide lot
Police are investigating whether a rotting corpse found in bushland in Adelaide is that of a missing South Australian man who was the victim of a violent acid attack earlier this year.
Geoffrey McLean, 55, hasn’t been seen since August 18 at his Andrews Farm home, three months after he was doused in petrol and hydrochloric acid.
Just before 2pm on Monday human remains were discovered at Salisbury South in Adelaide’s northern suburbs by a worker clearing 1.5 metre high grass on a vacant block on Cheviot Road.
At the time police said the body was too badly decomposed to determine the sex or age of the victim, or how long it had been there.
“We currently don’t know how long the deceased has been in this location,” Detective Inspector Brett Featherby said, but added that the vacant paddock was last mowed in March.
While forensic testing is now underway to determine the identity of the victim, detectives are believed to be investigating whether the remains belong to the missing man, The Advertiser reported.
Police believed missing man was dead
A major police operation was launched in September after Geoffrey McLean was reported missing, with police refusing to “rule out foul play” and believing that he was dead.
Police divers were seen scouring wetlands near St Columba College for the 55-year-old who is understood to have left his home on August 19 to meet someone, The Advertiser reported.
His disappearance followed a vicious acid attack on May 11 in the front yard of an Andrews Farm home, that ended when he was hosed down by police.
Mr McLean was rushed to hospital with serious burns to his head, shoulder and arm, while his alleged attacker Anthony Lloyd was arrested.
The 62-year-old later pleaded guilty to multiple counts of assault, including using a log splitter as a weapon.
Detectives trying to piece picture together
Crime scene detectives returned to the empty block on Tuesday where the human remains were discovered.
They could be seen examining a group of trees and shrubs towards the back of the paddock, using whipper snippers to clear the area, as well as a number of nearby barrels.
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Police say they are also reviewing CCTV footage in the area to understand what might have happened on the property in the past few months.
Any members of the public who may have seen someone acting suspiciously at the Cheviot Road address are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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