Alan Barnes

Alan was described by his mother as a lad who loved to joke about anything and everything and was the most placid of her children. Alan’s easy going and fun loving personality made him popular and well-liked by many.

Alan Barnes was a much-loved teenage son and brother whose life was taken just before his seventeenth birthday. His family remembered him as a young man with a life ahead of him, and they have spent decades fighting to ensure that he is remembered for who he was, rather than only for what happened to him.

His mother Judy became an outspoken advocate for victims and their families, while his sister Robyn continues the search for answers and justice today.

“Alan was cheeky. He had an answer for everything and everybody. He had one of those quick minds, and he would come up with a quip. He used to keep everyone laughing.”

— Judy Barnes, Alan’s mother

“Alan Barnes was a good kid from a nice family I knew them many years ago used to date his older brother, good people, this should never have happened to them,”

— Carol Webster

A space for Alan's family, friends and community to leave tributes, once they have chosen what they wish to share publicly.

Alan’s body was found beneath the South Para Bridge, near Williamstown, on 24 June 1979. According to the case profile, he had been killed elsewhere; the location of his murder has never been determined.

Police believe Alan’s murder is associated with the other cases commonly referred to as the “Family Murders.”

The Crime Stoppers SA profile, published on 18 June 2021, lists a reward of up to $1,000,000 for a conviction in this case. Check with Crime Stoppers SA for current reward conditions.

ABC News reported on 2 September 2026 that Alan’s sister, Robyn Barnes, was seeking 500,000 signatures with support from other victims’ families. Their petition asks for the review of suppression orders protecting suspects’ names.

On 2 September 2026, SA Police confirmed that investigations into all five murders, including Alan’s, remain open and active.

SA Police said it opposed lifting the suppression orders, citing the protection of evidence, witness confidentiality and the administration of justice.

ABC News reports that Bevan Spencer von Einem was charged with the murders of Alan Barnes and Mark Langley and was due to face trial in 1990. He denied the charges. They were dropped after a ruling excluded some evidence from use at trial. He was not convicted of either murder; his murder conviction concerned Richard Kelvin.

You can provide information anonymously to Crime Stoppers SA on 1800 333 000. Please report crime information directly to Crime Stoppers.