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Adelaide Family Murders500,000 signatures for open justice

1982 · aged 18

Mark Langley

Mark was loved by his family and friends. This page begins with him as a person.

Our Boys
Photo supplied for Mark Langley’s memorial
Photo supplied by Cheryl for Mark Langley’s memorial.
Janice Langley holding a photograph of her son Mark in March 1982.
Jan with a photograph of Mark.

Mark's life

Personal testimony

Mark was everything to his family. He was fiercely loyal and very protective, and stood up to those who did wrong. He had a cheeky nature and a charm that captured everyone.

He worked hard as his dad’s apprentice and saved hard to buy his dream car: a GT351 Bathurst edition, metallic blue with a scoop on the bonnet, twin carbies, a V8 and a black interior.

He was so proud of that car and would wash it all the time. When he had an accident and it was left with small dents, he didn’t take it to the party. He was too proud to take it when it wasn’t pristine anymore.

A memory from Mark’s mother, Jan

Personal testimony

Jan laughingly recalled how Mark, at 1.8 metres tall, would come home and jokingly sit on her knee.

Remembrance

Mark was eighteen, and he was loved.

Tributes from family, friends and Cheryl will be published here with their consent.

Email adelaidefamilymurders@gmail.com. The button opens your email app. Add your memory, attach any photographs and send. We will review your contribution before publishing it.

Known movements

Official police statement
Crime Stoppers SA unsolved case appeal for Mark Langley, last seen alive on 27 February 1982, displaying a reward of up to $200,000.
Crime Stoppers SA appeal image. See the dated case profile below for reward context.

Crime Stoppers SA reports that Mark attended an 18th birthday party in Windsor Gardens on Saturday 27 February 1982. At about 1.15am, he left with two friends in a white Datsun 1600. They parked beside the River Torrens on War Memorial Drive.

After a minor disagreement, Mark left the car and walked along the road’s northern side. His friends drove away, then returned a few minutes later, but could not find him. He was not seen alive again.

Discovery on 8 March 1982

Official police statement

Mark’s body was found beside Sprigg Road, Summertown, on 8 March 1982. The case profile states that he had been killed elsewhere before his body was left there.

Investigation and reward appeal

Official police statement

According to Crime Stoppers SA, police believe Mark’s murder is linked to the cases commonly called the “Family Murders.”

The profile, dated 28 February 2022, lists a reward of up to $200,000 for information leading to a conviction. Check with Crime Stoppers SA for current reward conditions.

What remains unanswered

  • What lines of inquiry from 1982 were never resolved?
  • What material is available for modern forensic re-examination?
  • Which records relating to Mark's case are restricted, and why?

Sources for this page

  • SA Police statement

    CASE PROFILE — Mark Langley

    Crime Stoppers South Australia · 28 February 2022

    Last known movements, discovery date, reported police linkage and the reward appeal published in 2022.

    Verified — primary source

  • SA Police statement

    SA Police statements relating to the 1979–1983 Adelaide homicides

    South Australia Police · TBC

    Identification of the five recognised victims and the official status of each investigation.

    Reported — not yet verified

  • Book

    Banquet: The Untold Story of Adelaide's Family Murders

    Penguin Random House Australia (publisher — confirm imprint) · Debi Marshall · 2021

    Secondary research source: background, chronology and context across all five cases.

    Verified — secondary source

  • Personal testimony

    Personal testimony — Cheryl (Mark Langley's girlfriend)

    The Five campaign · Pending

    First-person remembrance of Mark Langley; the couple's relationship and intended engagement.

    Campaign notes — awaiting review

The full archive & source register