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Call for information on 4-year anniversary of Modesti murder

Posted on 09/05/2020

Today marks four years since the disappearance and suspected murder of Michael Modesti.

Less than a handful of people are thought to know exactly what happened to the devoted family man, but reluctance is holding back witnesses from sharing what they know.

The father of one was last seen leaving his home address at Willsmore Street, Beverley at 8.15am on Monday, 9 May 2016.

There was no evidence of a disturbance at his home address, with a legitimate mobile phone and his wallet left behind at the locked property. The blinds were up, dishes in the sink and the TV had been left on.

The 33-year old’s disappearance was declared a major crime and suspected murder investigation on Monday 23 May 2016.

Mr Modesti was not considered to be a hardened criminal, although he was known to have had minor involvement with cannabis over the years.

Investigators now believe that Mr Modesti has been murdered because of involvement in the drug trade.

His sudden disappearance occurred only several days after returning from Thailand. While there is no direct evidence to confirm, investigators suspect some sort of drug involvement in the overseas trip, possibly the importation of methylamphetamine or a precursor drug.

Mr Modesti’s movements have been tracked since arriving back in Adelaide from Thailand on Friday, May 6 and police are confident that when he left his home it was either with his killer or to meet him.

An associate of Mr Modesti remains a suspect in the case, with investigators believing that the pair had been in a drug enterprise together, possibly with links overseas.

The associate is believed to have intended travelling to Thailand with him but pulled out at short notice. He
has been interviewed and his property searched, but more evidence is needed.

Mr Modesti’s blue Magna 360 model sedan (SA registered XPC-764) was found abandoned two days later in Chenoweth Avenue, West Croydon, near Torrens Road.

Police believe that people known to him had removed evidence from the vehicle which could have assisted the investigation.

Investigators believe an associate of Mr Modesti removed a burner mobile from the car and disposed of it in a storm water drain near the Livingstone and Hillsdale street roundabout in Prospect. A search of drains in the area has failed to find the phone.

A $200,000 reward remains on offer for information that leads to a conviction in this case and/or the recovery of Mr Modesti’s body.

You don’t have to say who you are, just share what you know.

 




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