Serialously with Annie Elise

Episode 364: “Warning: Absolutely BARBARIC! | Sex Ring Cult & Murder Scheme? The Family Murders”

Release Date: February 9, 2026
Host: Annie Elise

Episode Overview

Annie Elise dives deep into one of Australia's most shocking unsolved true crime sagas: "The Family" murders in Adelaide, South Australia. The episode explores a series of brutal abductions, sexual assaults, mutilations, and murders of boys and young men between the late 1970s and mid-1980s. Annie examines the tangled web of victims, suspects, cult-like conspiracy theories, and accusations of protection for dangerous high-society men. With only one man ever convicted, the episode asks: Was Bevan Spencer von Einem just a lone predator, or a scapegoat for a ring of powerful, protected predators?

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Adelaide’s Dark Chapter (02:10)

• Adelaide is introduced as a beautiful yet haunted city, with a “very dark history of horrifying murders,” especially from the late 1970s into the 1980s.
• Annie sets expectations: “Layers of mystery, whispers about corruption, kidnapping, torture, even surgical mutilation, okay? All tied to this secret circle of very wealthy, very well connected men.” (03:12)
• She frames the occult-like “Family” as if “Diddy meets Epstein...maybe even throw in a little Eyes Wide Shut kind of vibe.” (03:25)

2. Victim Profiles and Crimes

Alan Barnes (First Known Victim) (06:00–20:00)

• 17-year-old Alan Barnes goes missing in June 1979 after hitchhiking. His mutilated body is found a week later, showing signs of sexual torture and being washed to remove evidence.
• Annie comments on the police apathy: “As much as it breaks my heart...it ended up being Allen’s dad and grandpa who ended up identifying his remains.” (16:40)
• COD: Massive blood loss from an anal injury inflicted with a blunt object — evidence of extreme, violent sexual assault (18:30).
• Tox report: Found chloral hydrate (a sedative) in his system.

Neil Muir (Second Known Victim) (20:00–32:00)

• 25-year-old Neil Muir’s dismembered body is found in garbage bags. Tattoos are cut out to prevent identification, but the pieces are in the same bags, so the plan fails.
• Also dies of massive anal injury and blood loss, like Alan Barnes (28:55).
• Annie questions police logic: “...I just don’t see how the very specific anal injuries to both victims weren’t a giant red freaking flag.” (29:30)
• Authorities initially assume it’s a drug-dealer execution due to Neil’s background, ignoring striking similarities.

Peter Stogneff (Third Known Victim) (32:50–36:50)

• 14-year-old skips school, disappears, and his body is found a year later on farmland—burned (accidentally by a farmer), making it difficult to determine cause of death.
• Body had been cut into pieces, similar to Neil.
• Police again treat it as an isolated incident.

Mark Langley (Fourth Known Victim) (36:50–45:08)

• 18-year-old Mark Langley storms out of a friend’s car after an argument, never to be seen alive again. His body is found nine days later, mutilated in a fashion similar to previous victims.
• Unique twist: Surgical-like incision on his abdomen, shaved and stitched with medical staples and Johnson & Johnson tape. Police theorize it was done to remove a foreign object used in the assault.
• Mark’s father speaks about the heartbreak of informing the family:
  “I had to sit down and tell my other daughters that their brother wasn’t coming...” (44:47, Speaker C/Mark’s father)

Richard Kelvin (Fifth Known Victim) (45:08–50:02)

• 15–16-year-old son of a local TV reporter. Abducted walking home from a park; witnesses report hearing a “commotion” with multiple voices.
• Remains found over a month later, not decomposed—indicating he was likely held captive for five weeks before being murdered in the same manner as the others.
• Annie: “His cause of death was the exact same as the others: massive blood loss from an anal injury...the writing is on the wall, right?” (50:02)

3. Investigation & Suspects

Slow Police Response & Denial of Connections (06:00–50:30)

• Authorities repeatedly insist cases are isolated, despite striking similarities.
• “I’m having a really difficult time not questioning the police...all of these young guys who start off as missing end up being found brutally murdered. And you’re not going to be overly cautious?” (41:27)

Bevan Spencer von Einem

• Initially dismissed as a suspect after using his sexuality as an alibi:
  “How could I be a murderer? I’m a gay man.” (24:30, paraphrased)
• Buys himself time, but later emerges as the only person ever charged (for Richard Kelvin’s murder). Police find matching sleeping pill prescriptions and fibers from his house on Richard’s body (55:42).

Dr. Peter Milhouse

• Briefly charged for Neil’s murder due to (circumstantial) ties with the victim, but found not guilty, and dies years later without further legal consequence.

“The Family” Theory and Mr. B (53:00–63:00)

• Informant Mr. B, a former associate, describes parties where drugs and alcohol are used to incapacitate victims, who were then sexually assaulted by a group of well-connected men — now infamously called “The Family.”
• Mr. B insists that “these are not the people you’d expect...successful careers, policemen, doctors, lawyers.”
• Quote (from a victim’s family):
  “He told me that we know who they are, but we can’t touch them. They are in very high places.” (65:59, Speaker C)
• Annie parallels this to modern high-profile sex abuse scandals.

4. The Aftermath & Lingering Questions (63:00–66:00)

• Bevan is only convicted of Richard’s murder. Later charges relating to other victims are withdrawn due to lack of direct evidence.
• Theories persist about a protected ring of perpetrators, possibly even extending to the investigators themselves.
• Families and public remain frustrated:
  “Animals. Animal would not do that...What do I call these people? They’re not human.” (66:21, Speaker C)
• “We call them the old school tie gang...about as high as you can get.” (66:56, Speaker B and 67:00, Speaker C)
• Annie closes reflecting on the elusiveness of justice:
  “I know it’s not that simple, but I really do wish [Bevan] would just admit to everything and give...closure. He’s already serving a life sentence...Just drop the names...But...he likely will take his secrets to the grave.” (67:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Think Diddy meets Epstein. Like, worst nightmare ever, right? What nightmares are truly made from.” (03:22, Annie Elise)
• “He wouldn’t have just ran off...But as far as I can tell, the investigators didn’t seem to take his disappearance seriously.” (13:50, Annie Elise)
• “I just don’t see how the very specific anal injuries to both victims weren’t a giant red freaking flag.” (29:30, Annie Elise)
• “He used his sexuality as a reason that he couldn’t have committed murder. And somehow the investigators just believed it.” (24:40, Annie Elise)
• “He told me that we know who they are, but we can’t touch them. They are in very high places.” (65:59, Speaker C)
• “Animals. Animal would not do that...They’re not human.” (66:21, Speaker C)
• “We call them the old school tie gang...About as high as you can get.” (66:56, Speaker B/C)
• “Completely barbaric, honestly.” (final minute, Annie Elise)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:01 — Annie introduces the case: background, context, and Adelaide’s dual reputation.
• 06:00–20:00 — Alan Barnes’ disappearance, investigation, and murder.
• 20:00–32:00 — Neil Muir’s murder, discovery, and post-mortem details.
• 32:50–36:50 — Peter Stogneff’s disappearance, body discovery, and limited evidence.
• 36:50–45:08 — Mark Langley’s argument, disappearance, and unique postmortem findings.
• 45:08–50:02 — Richard Kelvin’s disappearance, witness accounts, and body discovery.
• 53:00–63:00 — “The Family” ring: Mr. B’s testimony, group abuse theory, and police response.
• 65:59–67:10 — Victims' families express frustration, allege high-level protection and cover-up.
• 67:10–close — Annie’s closing thoughts and encouragement for listener theories.

Tone and Style

Annie maintains a conversational and empathetic tone, often speaking directly to listeners as “true crime besties.” She balances detailed, sometimes graphic crime narration with probing analysis, speculative commentary, and respect for the victims and their families. She interweaves relatable asides and pop culture references to make the material accessible, while never shying away from the case’s brutality or the failings of the investigation.

Conclusion: Lingering Doubts and Conspiracies

With only one man behind bars and four murders technically unsolved, Annie prompts the audience to consider whether Bevan Spencer von Einem acted alone—or whether a cover-up allowed dangerous men in high places to remain free. She invites listeners to share their theories, emphasizing the heartbreaking lack of closure and the possibility of a vast, hidden conspiracy.

For listeners:

If you have never heard of the "Family" murders or want a sweeping, detailed, but approachable summary of Australia's most chilling criminal mystery—this episode gives it all, with both granular detail and social context, raising questions about justice, power, and accountability that linger to this day.