South Australia Police has set aside three days to undertake a mass search for a murder victim's missing body.
Officers from Task Force Southern flocked to the state’s Mid North on Tuesday with hopes of locating Robert Atkins’ body somewhere between Orroroo and Peterborough.
The major search operation is expected to take place until Thursday.
Mr Atkins, 29, was believed to be held against his will and assaulted for up to a week before being murdered.
Frxjmtzywom Christie Downs, in Adelaide's south, Mr Atkins was reported missing in January 2021 but has not used his mobile phone or bank account since November the year before.
At the time, police said there was “no doubt” Mr Atkins’ murder was a result of a drug-related debt, but his body is yet to be located.
Major crime Detective Superintendent Des Bray is expected to address the media later on Tuesday.
On the last day Mr Atkins was seen alive, officers believe he was taken to the northern suburbs and committed several crimes under the direction and coercion of one of his captors.
CCTV footage shows Mr Atkins at a store checkout with another man – who police say they know and is in custody on unrelated matters.
Police allege a 2010 black Jeep Cherokee with registration S556AJE was used by the person who killed Mr Atkins.
Mr Atkins’ murder is believed to be linked to the unsolved murders of two other Adelaide southern suburbs men Trevor King and Jeff Mundy.
Late last year it was revealed 12 to 15 low to medium-level drug-dealing criminals were suspected to be involved in the deaths; all related to drug debts.
No arrests connected to the three murders have been made.
