Nearly six decades after the disappearance of the Beaumont children—Jane, 9; Arnna, 7; and Grant, 4—a renewed excavation has commenced at the former Castalloy factory site in North Plympton, Adelaide. This effort aims to uncover potential evidence and bring closure to one of Australia’s most enduring mysteries.

Background of the Disappearance

On January 26, 1966, the Beaumont siblings vanished during a visit to Glenelg Beach, sparking extensive searches and widespread media attention. Despite numerous leads and investigations, their fate remains unknown.

The Current Excavation

Initiated on February 22, 2025, this privately funded dig is led by independent MP Frank Pangallo, forensic archaeologist Professor Maciej Henneberg, author Stuart Mullins, and former detective Bill Hayes. The team is focusing on three specific areas within the factory grounds, including a previously unsearched section. Preliminary work involved removing approximately three meters of topsoil to reach the ground level as it existed in 1966. The excavation is expected to last about a week.

New Evidence and Familial Connections

Recent revelations have intensified interest in this site. It has been disclosed that Harry Phipps, the late owner of the Castalloy factory and a prime suspect in the case, had a familial link to the Beaumonts. Phipps’ niece was married to a cousin of the children’s father, Jim Beaumont. This connection suggests that the children may have been familiar with Phipps, potentially explaining eyewitness accounts of them interacting with an unknown man on the day they disappeared.

Previous Investigations

The Castalloy site has been the focus of prior searches in 2013 and 2018, both of which yielded no conclusive evidence. These excavations were prompted by statements from two men who claimed that, shortly after the children’s disappearance, they were paid by Phipps to dig a large hole on the property. However, subsequent analysis suggested that these digs may have been conducted in incorrect locations, prompting the current, more targeted effort.

Community and Family Impact

The Beaumont case has profoundly affected the Australian public, symbolizing the loss of innocence and altering perceptions of child safety. The children’s parents, Jim and Nancy Beaumont, endured decades of uncertainty, with both passing away without knowing their children’s fate—Nancy in 2019 and Jim in 2023. Family members have recently called for a coronial inquest, hoping that renewed investigations might finally provide answers.

As the latest excavation progresses, there is a collective hope that this endeavor will uncover definitive evidence, offering closure to the Beaumont family and resolving a case that has haunted Australia for nearly 60 years.

For more stories and insights, visit It’s On

Instagram:@itson.ie

TikTok videos and information:@itson.ie