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Adelaide Family Murders500,000 signatures for open justice

1981 · aged 14

Peter Stogneff

A 14-year-old schoolboy who disappeared in Adelaide in 1981.

Our Boys
Photo supplied for Peter Stogneff’s memorial
Photo supplied by Cheryl for Peter Stogneff’s memorial.
Lydia Stogneff
Lydia Stogneff
Peter in his Year 4 school photograph, 1976
Peter’s Year 4 school photograph, 1976.

Peter's life

Personal testimony

Memories of Peter from family and friends are welcome. You can share a memory or photograph using the email button below.

Words from Lydia Stogneff

Personal testimony

“Those people who murdered our boys will have to answer for it some day. If it’s not here on earth, it will be in a higher court.”

— Lydia Stogneff

Source: Woman’s Day, 1988, pp. 26–27. Story by Liz Johnswood.

A memory from Julie Klein

Personal testimony

“Peter was in my grade 4 class in 1976. Our teacher was Mrs O'Brien. We went to a primary school in the western suburbs. However, his family moved away from here a couple of years after this. He was a nice, sweet boy with a real baby face.”

— Julie Klein

Remembrance

A space for Peter's family and school community, to be filled only with what they choose to share.

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
Supplied appeal graphic for Peter Stogneff, showing his portrait, 26 August 1981 and a reward of up to $1,000,000.
Supplied appeal image: 26 August 1981 is shown as the abduction date. Crime Stoppers records the missing-person report on 27 August. Reward details are from a dated appeal.

Peter, 14, planned to meet his cousin in Rundle Mall during a day off school. His cousin’s plans changed; whether Peter travelled into the city is unknown. His parents reported him missing on Thursday 27 August 1981.

Investigators received an unconfirmed report that Peter may have been seen with an adult male at Tea Tree Plaza on the day of his disappearance. The 2021 profile says the man had not been identified.

Discovery in June 1982

Official police statement

On 22 June 1982, a farmer found remains on land near Middle Beach Road, Two Wells, about 50 kilometres north of Adelaide. He contacted police the following morning. The remains were identified as Peter’s.

Investigation and reward appeal

Official police statement

Police believe Peter’s murder is linked to the cases known as the Family Murders. Crime Stoppers’ appeal of 27 August 2021 lists up to $1,000,000 for information leading to a conviction. Contact Crime Stoppers for current reward conditions.

What remains unanswered

  • What remains unresolved in the timeline of Peter's disappearance?
  • What forensic re-examination has been possible with modern methods?

Sources for this page

  • SA Police statement

    CASE PROFILE — Peter Stogneff

    Crime Stoppers South Australia · 27 August 2021

    Reported-missing date, uncertain sighting, recovery and dated reward appeal.

    Verified — primary source

The full archive & source register