Snowtown Murders
What is snowtown murders?
Key facts
The Snowtown murders were a series of murders in South Australia committed between August 1992 and May 1999 by John Justin Bunting, Robert Joe Wagner, and James Spyridon Vlassakis, with bodies found in a disused bank vault in Snowtown.
Context
The Snowtown murders were a series of murders in South Australia committed between August 1992 and May 1999 by John Justin Bunting, Robert Joe Wagner, and James Spyridon Vlassakis [1]. The name comes from the town of Snowtown, where bodies were found in a disused bank vault, and the case is also called the 'bodies in barrels' murders [1]. In May 1999, police found remains of eight individuals in an unused bank vault, stored in barrels filled with acid [2]. Additional remains were found buried in the backyard of a house occupied by one of the men charged [2]. The case was linked to the torture and murder of 12 people, with John Justin Bunting identified as the ringleader [2].
Documented claims
- The name comes from the town of Snowtown, where bodies were found in a disused bank vault. [1]
- The case is also called the 'bodies in barrels' murders. [1]
- In May 1999, police found remains of eight individuals in an unused bank vault, stored in barrels filled with acid. [2]
- Additional remains were found buried in the backyard of a house occupied by one of the men charged. [2]
- The case was linked to the torture and murder of 12 people, with John Justin Bunting identified as the ringleader. [2]
Questions and answers
When did the Snowtown murders occur?
The murders occurred between August 1992 and May 1999 [1].
Where were the bodies found?
The remains of eight individuals were found in an unused bank vault in Snowtown in May 1999, stored in barrels filled with acid [2].
Who were the perpetrators?
The perpetrators were John Justin Bunting, Robert Joe Wagner, and James Spyridon Vlassakis [1].
How many victims were there?
The case was linked to 12 deaths, though sources differ on the exact count [1].
Sources
- Snowtown Murders: 'Bodies in the Barrels' — nfsa.gov.au (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- The Snowtown Murders — tv.apple.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)