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On Saturday the 4th of November 2000, the body of Adam John Matthews was recovered from the Goulburn River at the rear of Chinaman’s Bridge Caravan Park in Nagambie. He had been violently attacked and stabbed numerous times, resulting in his death.
Adam was one of five children and a father at the time of his death, leaving behind a family desperate for answers and justice for their loved one.
The Homicide Squad are seeking your help in solving this case.
Adam was last seen alive by his mother at approximately 2pm on the 24th of October 2000 leaving his home in Fawkner. He intended to be home in time for dinner and asked his mother to order Chinese food for when he returned.
Adam’s mother never saw her son again. 11 days after leaving home, his body was discovered.Despite an extensive and thorough investigation, the person or persons who violently attacked and killed Adam have not been brought to justice. What we do know is that whoever killed Adam went to great lengths in an attempt to conceal his body.
We are asking anyone who may have seen or heard from Adam anytime from the 24th of October 2000 onwards, to please help piece together his final movements.
Investigators are appealing in particular to an anonymous caller who contacted police in 2006 with information they believed could lead to an arrest. We appeal to this person to call Crime Stoppers and pass on this information to assist with solving this murder.
We would also like hear from anyone who was residing or travelling in the Nagambie area during this period, specifically those who may have been near the Goulburn River. Adam had no known connection to this area and it is unclear how he came to be here.
If you believe you may have any information, about the person or persons responsible for this brutal crime, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Any information, however small or seemingly insignificant, could be what we need to progress this investigation.
I’m asking you to help us solve Adam’s murder.
Homicide Squad detectives are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the murder of Adam Matthews.
On the 4 November 2000, police retrieved Adam’s body from the Goulburn River near the Chinaman’s Bridge Caravan Park.
The previous evening, residents of the caravan park noticed what they thought was rubbish tangled in a fallen tree, floating in the river.
Adam’s body had been wrapped in a blanket and an attempt had been made to weigh the body down with bricks.
A post-mortem examination revealed he had been violently assaulted.
He was last seen by his mother 11 days earlier when he left his Fawkner home about 2pm on the 24 October, 2000.
Adam stated to his mother he would be home for dinner but never returned.
It is believed he was seen later that afternoon near the corner of Sydney Road and Queens Parade in Fawkner.
At the time of his death, Adam was 25-years-old and living with his mother in Fawkner. Adam was one of five children and a father.
Despite an extensive and thorough investigation, the person or persons who violently attacked and killed Adam remain unknown.
It is also unclear how Adam came to be in Nagambie, detectives have been unable to establish any connection with the area.
Detectives want to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard from Adam in the weeks leading up to 24 October, 2000 and onwards in order to help detectives piece together his final movements.
It is believed Adam was associated with illicit activities and this may have led to his death.
Detectives would also like to hear from anyone who was local to the Nagambie area during this period, specifically around the Goulburn River and who may have witnessed any unusual or suspicious activity.
In 2006, an anonymous caller provided information nominating a person they believed may be responsible for Adam’s death. Detectives are appealing to this person to again contact Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with any information they believe may help solve this case are asked to contact Crime Stoppers, even if they have already done so in the past.
Detectives are hopeful that over 20 years after his death, someone will be able to provide information about who was responsible for Adam’s murder and why.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via the Crime
Reviewed 30 June 2021