This week, the search for the missing Beaumont children has taken a notable turn with the arrival of two pivotal witnesses at the Adelaide location. Brothers David and Robin Harkin revisited the site of the old Castalloy factory, claiming they were paid by its former owner, Harry Phipps, to excavate a grave-like hole when they were young. Phipps is widely regarded as a primary suspect in the children’s disappearance almost 60 years ago.
Their testimony has directed the course of the ongoing investigation. Independent MP Frank Pangallo reported that the Harkin brothers reviewed a second search area and determined its parameters required adjustment.
Central to their account is the mention of distinctive red sand they recall encountering during their childhood digging. David, now a plumber who has previously worked at the site, noted the red sand is only present in specific areas of the expansive North Plympton block. Reflecting on his childhood memories, he mentioned that upon digging deeper, he finally located the red sand he remembered.
The search efforts are currently focused on a region previously examined by police in 2018, where new landfill has been uncovered, as well as another nearby site that was part of a 2013 investigation. These developments have reinvigorated hopes of solving the long-standing mystery surrounding the Beaumont children’s disappearance.