A privately-funded search has been launched at a former factory site in South-West Adelaide, with the goal of uncovering new information in a nearly 60-year-old cold case. Excavations began on Saturday morning at the old Castalloy property in North Plympton, where efforts are being made to search for the remains of the three Beaumont children, who vanished in 1966.
Independent state MP Frank Pangallo, who organized the private excavation, explained that this could be the final opportunity to search the site before it is sold. Despite two prior searches at the location, Pangallo emphasized the importance of the current dig, prompted by new insights from former Castalloy employees after a 2018 excavation. “At least two meters of fill have been added to the site over the decades since 1966, so it’s possible that police didn’t dig deeply enough in their previous search,” he said.
Pangallo revealed that the area being searched now is one that police had not explored before. He stressed the significance of investigating the theory proposed by some researchers about where the children might have been buried. The site, located on Mooringe Avenue at North Plympton, was previously owned by Adelaide businessman Harry Phipps, who passed away in 2004. Police have listed Phipps, along with several others, as persons of interest.
“This is one of Australia’s greatest unsolved crimes, and I believe all of Australia is eager for closure,” Pangallo commented. “I’m hopeful that this search will bring us closer to an answer, whether we find something or not.”
The excavation at the new location will involve the removal of trees and several meters of dirt, Pangallo said. South Australian Police (SAPOL) have stated that those involved in the search have kept them informed of their plans and reasoning behind the renewed activity. However, a SAPOL spokesperson clarified that the theory driving the search is not supported by the available evidence. SAPOL will monitor the excavation as it progresses.
The disappearance of the three Beaumont children—nine-year-old Jane, seven-year-old Arnna, and four-year-old Grant—on Australia Day in 1966 is a case that profoundly impacted the nation. Criminologist Xanthé Mallett noted that the case “changed the way people looked at children’s safety across Australia.”
When police last excavated the site in 2018, they found “non-human bones.” At that time, authorities suggested the area had been dug up previously and used as a dumping ground for refuse. Since then, the parents of the missing children have passed away.
The excavation will pause on Sunday before resuming on Monday, with the search expected to last until next Saturday. Should any remains related to the long-unsolved case be discovered, investigators will inform SAPOL.