‘We’re confident he’s been murdered’: Police search creek for missing SA man
Specialist police are combing waterways in Melbourne’s north-west for the remains of a missing South Australian man they fear was murdered inside a Hells Angels clubhouse.
Kerry Giakoumis, 29, from Adelaide, was last seen at the Hells Angels clubhouse on Lipton Drive in Thomastown during the early hours of June 10 last year.
Kerry Giakoumis
Investigators said Mr Giakoumis had travelled to Melbourne from Adelaide five days before with two outlaw motorcycle gang associates to work as a concreter.
Detective Superintendent Paul O’Halloran said investigators believe the 29-year-old was not a patched member of the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang but knew members in South Australia.
“We’ve always believed Kerry met with foul play. We’re confident he’s been murdered,” he said.
Announcing the formation of a specialist taskforce on Thursday, Superintendent O’Halloran said they believed Mr Giakoumis’ remains had been dumped in or around Jacksons Creek at Diggers Rest.
He said police, including divers from the search and rescue squad, had spent the past week searching the creek and its surroundings following a tip-off.
“We’re confident that’s where Kerry’s remains were disposed of,” he said.
“There will be people out there who have information about what happened to Kerry and who is responsible, and again I am appealing for those people to come forward and speak to police.
“We believe we’re on the right path. But we still need [the public’s] assistance.”
Police searching Jacksons Creek in Diggers Rest for the body of Adelaide man Kerry Giakoumis.
Whilst in Melbourne, police said Mr Giakoumis regularly spoke with his family in South Australia and his mother had booked a flight for June 10, 2020, for him to return home on, but the 29-year-old never boarded the flight and contact with his family ceased.
They subsequently reported him missing.
“It’s terribly hard, they’ve lost a loved son, they’re distraught.”
Superintendent O’Halloran said detectives believe it was likely some kind of dispute took place on the night the 29-year-old was last seen and that may be connected to other members or associates of the Hells Angels.
Police execute a warrant at the Thomastown clubhouse of the Hells Angels.Credit:Victoria Police
In June last year, detectives from the homicide squad and Echo taskforce executed warrants at several properties including the Thomastown clubhouse.
Detectives are particularly keen to speak to anyone who has information about what happened at the clubhouse or any other location in the early hours of June 10.
They would also like to hear from anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the Jacksons Creek area around the time Mr Giakoumis went missing, Superintendent O’Halloran said.
Police have released a new image of a man police believe travelled to Melbourne with Mr Giakoumis and was seen with him on the night he vanished.
Police wish to speak to the man in this image in relation to the movements of Mr Giakoumis.
“There are likely to be people out there who don’t agree with what has happened to Kerry, and that it went too far,” Superintendent O’Halloran said. “This is your chance to tell us your version of events.
“We all understand a part of outlaw motorcycle gangs there that allegiance, there’s that secrecy and a reluctance to come forward. [But] this is a young man who’s lost his life.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a visit crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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