Missing Matt Mystery: Man Charged

Local News, By Christian Taylor, 5th August, 2008

Police are one step closer to finding out what happened to Matthew Leveson, a young Sydney man who went missing on September 23 last year, after a night out with friends at Sydney gay nightclub Arq.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Matt’s 45 year old boyfriend, Michael Peter Atkins, was arrested this morning at his Cronulla home. He faced court today and was charged with Matthew’s murder, despite the fact that the body has not yet been found.

Miranda local area commander Superintendent Mark Hiron told a news conference today that strong circumstantial evidence has led to today’s arrest.

“A whole series of small pieces of information came together to lead us to the conclusion that there is no other reasonable hypothesis,” said Hiron.

Police confirmed that Matthew’s parents hadn’t met Atkins until after their son’s disappearance.

After Matthew went missing his family appealled to the general public for information – there were numerous stories in both the gay and mainstream press and the Oxford Street area was plastered with posters. Profiles were also created on Myspace and Facebook – reading through the comments on those pages is, in a word, crushing.

“My darling, beautiful boy, it is 10 months today since that heartless, soulless monster took you away from your family and friends,” writes his mother, Faye. “You will never be forgotten – you are forever in our hearts… They say time heals – its a lie – it does not. It just gets harder and harder not having you around.”

“Its getting harder for me to read the comments here. Time isn’t making it any easier. I’m still crying alot and I don’t know what else to do,” writes another.

Our sincerest condolences to Matt’s family and friends.

Your Thoughts

Melicious

said ages ago

Lets all hope that Matt's body is found sooner or later and the case can be closed and put behind them, so they have some peace and Matt is layed to rest. My thoughts go out to the family at this time. RIP Matt Leveson (where ever you are right now).....

waterrat

said ages ago

Police don't just wantonly go and charge someone without any evidence (except maybe if your surname is Haneef :S) there would have to be pretty substantial circumstantial evidence as well as some support; witnesses, DNA etc, for this to even be looked at. The onus of proof is on the prosecution...their job is to prove a person is guilty...it isn't the defence's job to prove innocence, just introduce doubt as if a jury is not convinced beyond 'all reasonable doubt' they cannot entertain a 'not guilty'. I hope the police have the right person, and enough evidence.

Mydoona

said ages ago

if someone is involved in a murder case..are you allowed to show there picture?..I always see them blurred.

oceania68

said ages ago

Time shall reveal all, lets hope that truth prevails..

darryle

said ages ago

my deepest sympathy goes out to the family of matt

waterrat

said ages ago

generally you only see a blurred imaged once it is before the court. Prior to that it is alright, and post proceedings it is ok.

dreadcircus

said ages ago

Poor Matt, I can't believe his own bf murdered him. This is totally vile and yes lets hope the trial goes smooth and the truth comes out without too much interference from the media.

Christian Taylor

said ages ago

yes, the image has since been removed... and we should all be mindful not to say anything too contentious on here about the accused during the trial.

individualstill

said ages ago

I hope they find the body and the family get some kind of closure. Very sad story.

Bren

said ages ago

Nah, not overly sensitive. I know how you feel. It's empathy wots punching you in the gut. Plus probably that horrible feeling of sitting on the sidelines feeling that something terrible has happened but knowing there's nothing we can do to fix or change it. :( Whichever way the plot unfolds, it is a tragedy.

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