Russell Bradshaw, then aged 35 years, was last seen by his wife leaving their Salisbury Heights home in January 1992. Russell left without taking any of his personal possessions and without telling anyone where he was going.
Russell was believed to be involved in the local drug scene, but it is not known if this played a role in his disappearance. The manner of Russell's disappearance is not consistent with his usual behaviour as he always maintained contact with his friends and family including his children.
Police suspect Russell has been murdered and his murder is believed to be linked with the disappearance of Damian Cauchi in 1998 who is also suspected to have been murdered.
If you have information that may assist police in the disappearance of Russell please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The remains of two young men, presumed murdered in the 1990s, are believed to be in the Murray Mallee region.
Russell Bradshaw, at age 35, and Damien Cauchi, then aged 21, went missing six years apart but police have linked the two during an investigation into the cold cases.
Their remains are believed to be somewhere in the region of Karoonda,
Borrika or Perponda, but finding the exact location has proven to be a
“needle-in-the-haystack” exercise for police.
Police are hoping people with information may finally come forward as the suspects are “getting older and may seem to be less of a threat”.
In 1992, Mr Bradshaw went missing from his home in Salisbury Heights but
was not reported as a missing person until years later.
In 1998, Mr Cauchi who was originally from Mount Gambier went missing from Adelaide.
Acting Senior Sergeant Rod Huppatz said police first believed the
incidents were related in 2003.
“We received information that Mr Cauchi had been associating with one of
two suspects police have for the disappearance and presumed murder of Mr
Bradshaw,” he said.
He said police believed it was possible Mr Cauchi went missing because
of his association with a suspect and the knowledge he had of what
happened to Mr Bradshaw.
“However, there is no suggestion that Mr Cauchi was involved in the
murder of Mr Bradshaw,” he said.
Since the link was discovered, police conducted several unsuccessful
searches around Karoonda for the bodies, believed to be dumped near each
other.
“We don’t give up on these jobs and hopefully someone will now be
willing to come forward with further information,” Mr Huppatz said.
Rewards of up to $200,000 are offered for information about the person,
or people, responsible for these suspected murders.
Posted on 31/01/2020 Crimestoppers SA
It is now 28 years since Russell Bradshaw was last seen by his wife leaving their Salisbury Heights home in January 1992.
The 35-year old left without taking any of his personal possessions and without telling anyone where he was going.
He was believed to be involved in the local drug scene, but it is not known if this played a role in his disappearance.
The manner of Russell’s disappearance is not consistent with his usual behaviour as he always maintained contact with his friends and family including his children.
In February 2004, police coordinated an unsuccessful search of scrub land near Perponda in the Murray Mallee as it was believed this may have been where his body had been buried.
He is suspected to have been murdered and his murder is believed linked with the disappearance and suspected murder of Damian Cauchi in 1998.
A reward of up to $200,000 is on offer to anyone who provides information that leads to the conviction in the case and/or the recovery of the victim’s remains.
If you have information, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report at www.crimestopperssa.com.au