‘A number of unanswered questions’ in murder inquiry

SA Police at the moment are making an attempt to unravel what occurred to Lees after he was final seen at 2.48am on March 1, strolling down Fairleigh Avenue at Modbury North.

On July 26, his stays have been found by a bushwalker at Hale Conservation Park close to Williamstown. 

Police consider Lees had been lifeless for a number of months earlier than his physique was discovered, however they don’t know precisely when or the place he died.

He was solely positively recognized after DNA testing.

Lees, described as a “very jovial and social particular person with a big friendship group”, was reported lacking by a member of the family on March 4.

A public attraction was launched in March to assist discover him, however on the time police mentioned they didn’t consider foul play was concerned.

53-year-old Ian Lees, whose demise is being investigated as a suspected homicide. Picture: Provided

“It’s evident to us from our investigation up to now that Ian had suffered vital bodily accidents,” Main Crime Detective Inspector Brett Featherby informed reporters this afternoon.

“On account of that and because of the circumstance of his disappearance, the situation as to the place his physique was positioned and the accidents obtained, his disappearance has now been declared a significant crime as a suspected homicide.

“We’re present looking out Ian’s house deal with in relation to a suspected homicide, however right now I received’t remark additional on that for operational causes.”

Featherby mentioned Lees’ cellphone was discovered by council staff at Civic Park Modbury reverse Tea Tree Plaza, whereas his backpack, pockets, keys and thongs have been positioned in bushes within the reserve on the finish of Fairleigh Avenue at Modbury North.

“It will seem right now that nothing has been stolen and so they have been simply left there at that location,” Featherby mentioned.

“Ian has made no entry to his financial institution accounts. A deposit was made to his checking account on the eighth of March that has not been accessed.

“We’ve canvassed all taxis, Ubers, and public transport within the space across the time of his disappearance and up to now now we have no leads or don’t consider he’s really left that space in any of these modes of transport.”

Police have launched CCTV footage of Lees on the Tea Tree Plaza buying centre on the night time he went lacking.

Featherby mentioned Lees, described as an avid soccer fan who “loved debating statistics”, would frequently frequent Modbury North and Tea Tree Plaza with a blue heeler canine named Jasper.

He mentioned there have been “quite a lot of unanswered questions” about his disappearance and demise, together with whether or not he had been concerned in an argument. 

“We’re at the moment engaged on a number of traces of inquiry and strongly urge anybody with info over Ian’s disappearance to return ahead,” he mentioned.

“The investigation is in its infancy.”

Featherby declined to take a position on how Lees’ accidents occurred or whether or not there have been weapons concerned.

He urged anybody with info associated to Lees’ demise to ring Crime Stoppers.

Police have launched CCTV footage of Lees on the Tea Tree Plaza buying centre on the night time he went lacking.

Police have requested dashcam footage from anybody who was on Ladywood Street, Fairleigh Avenue, Montague Street and North East Street between 5pm on February 27 and 9am on March 1.

They’re additionally searching for dashcam footage from anybody who might need been within the neighborhood of Warren Street at Williamstown close to Hale Conservation Park between 3am on March 1 and March 7.