Murder victim’s family pleads for help as Police release new clues
The family of a man whose body was found by a bushwalker near Williamstown has pleaded with the public to come forward with any information, as Police release new details they hope could solve the crime.
The body of 53-year-old Ian Lees was located by a bushwalker on July 26 at the Hale conservation park, with the significant injuries found on his body leading police to declare his death a major crime.
Police don’t believe the incident was random or that any suspect was unknown to Ian.
Ian’s niece Grace Lees said her late uncle was mourned by hundreds of people at his recent funeral donned in the colours of Port Adelaide – Ian’s favourite AFL team.
“There was so many people there, so much so that we filled up the funeral parlour and the pub across the road,” Grace said in a video released by Police.
“Uncle Ian meant so much to us. He always made everyone laugh, as kids we were in awe of him, just a fun-loving nature, he was a great uncle,” she said.
It comes as police reveal vital clues and information which could be the key to solving the case.
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On Thursday police released footage of a person seen searching the reserve with a torch at the northern end Fairleigh Avenue at Modbury North in the early hours of March 2, 2022.
This was 24 hours after the last known sighting of Ian and in the same area where his belongings were later found.
“They’re actually seen going through different areas of the park with a torch, the behavior could be normal, but it could be unusual, we would really like to speak to that person,” Detective Inspector Brett Featherby.
Ian was last seen on March 1 st about 2:40am on Fairley Avenue, Modbury North, walking north.
He left his home address on February 28 at about 6pm.
Ian’s phone was found at Civic Park, Modbury and his belongings, including his backpack, wallet, keys and thongs were found completely intact in bushes in the reserve at the end of Fairleigh Avenue.
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Featherby also said an anonymous online tip-off to Crime Stoppers on July 28 could hold the key to solving Ian’s murder.
“That person has provided quite specific detail to the Crime Stoppers website in relation to where Ian’s remains could be located and that person’s information is critical to the investigation his murder,” he said.
So far in the investigation detectives had searched Ian’s home address and seized a vehicle for forensic examination, as well as the clothes his body was found in.
“We know that he had a very large circle of friends. We’re now asking for any of those friends that he made that may know whether he had relationships we’re not aware of, or whether he was in conflict with other persons prior to the time of his death to contact Crime Stoppers.”
Featherby said Ian was known to frequent the Civic Park, Modbury and Tea Tree Plaza area and would often be seen walking his blue heeler Jasper.
“Uncle Ian meant so much to us, he’s got five nieces, he was the funcle – the fun uncle he used to always play with us,” Grace Lees said.
“As a family unit we are really missing Ian Lees and we would really appreciate if anyone has any information at all could come forward to the police and help us solve what has happened to our uncle.”
