On January 26, 1966 three siblings—Jane (9), Arnna (7), and Grant (4) Beaumont—vanished from Glenelg Beach near Adelaide, South Australia. 

Despite witness sightings, investigations, and decades of speculation the Beaumont children were never found. 

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Their disappearance changed Australian society leading to stricter child safety measures and a massive cultural shift in how parents supervised their kids. 

Timeline of Events

Morning of January 26, 1966 (Australia Day)

– Around 10 AM Jane, Arnna, and Grant left their home at 109 Harding Street, Somerton Park to take a 5-minute bus ride to Glenelg Beach a popular holiday spot. 

– Their parents, Jim and Nancy Beaumont allowed them to go alone, something they had done before. 

– Jane, the eldest, was responsible for looking after her siblings. 

Midday Sightings at Glenelg Beach

– Multiple witnesses reported seeing the Beaumont children playing in the sand. 

– A tall, blond man in his 30s was seen watching them and playing with them. 

– A woman later reported that Jane bought a meat pie and pasties at a local bakery, something unusual because the children never purchased food themselves. 

– A bus driver saw them waiting at a stop near the beach around 1:45 PM, but they never boarded. 

Afternoon: The Children Never Return

– The children were expected home by 2 PM. 

– By 3 PM their mother Nancy became worried. 

– By 7:30 PM their father, Jim, returned home from work to find them still missing. 

– The parents searched Glenelg Beach and nearby streets but found no trace of them. 

Nightfall: The Police Are Called

– By 10 PM police were notified and a widespread search began. 

– Authorities initially suspected the children had wandered off or had an accident, but when they weren’t found overnight, fears of abduction grew. 

Investigation & Key Clues

1. The Mysterious Man

– Witnesses saw the children interacting with an unknown blond man at the beach. 

– He was described as tall, thin, and in his mid-30s wearing swimming trunks. 

– Some claimed the children seemed comfortable with him, suggesting they may have met him before. 

2. The Strange Purchase 

– Jane, the oldest, bought food using a £1 note even though their mother had only given them coins. 

– This suggests the children may have been given money by someone else—possibly their abductor. 

3. The Letter From Jane? 

– Months later, the Beaumonts received a letter supposedly from Jane saying the children were safe and living with someone. 

– However, this was later proven to be a cruel hoax. 

Theories & Suspects

The “Friendly Stranger” Theory

– Since the children were seen playing with the man and did not appear distressed, some believe they willingly went with him. 

– This suggests the abductor may have groomed them over time gaining their trust before taking them. 

The Bevan Spencer von Einem Theory

– Von Einem was a convicted murderer linked to the Adelaide “Family Murders” of the 1970s and 1980s. 

– He was known for luring young victims and could have been active earlier. 

– However, no direct evidence ties him to the Beaumont case. 

The Harry Phipps Theory (Factory Search) 

– Phipps was a wealthy Adelaide businessman with a history of sexually abusing children 

– His former employees claimed he asked two men to dig a hole at his factory around the time of the disappearances. 

– In 2018, a search of his former property revealed no human remains but the theory persists. 

The Abduction by an Unknown Pedophile Ring 

– Some believe the children were targeted by an organized group involved in child trafficking or abuse. 

– This theory is based on the methodical way the children disappeared and how no remains or belongings were ever found. 

Recent Updates & Searches 

2013: Excavation at Phipps’ Former Property

– A search was conducted at a North Plympton factory site based on witness accounts. 

– No human remains were found, but authorities still consider Phipps a suspect. 

2016: 50th Anniversary & DNA Technology

– New DNA technology was used to reanalyze old evidence but no new leads emerged. 

– The case remains active with police following up on credible tips 

2018: Another Dig at Phipps’ Site

– Ground-penetrating radar suggested a disturbance in the soil where Phipps allegedly ordered a hole dug. 

– No bones or evidence were recovered. 

2022: Investigation Still Open

– South Australian police continue to treat the case as active urging the public to come forward with any new information. 

– The case changed how Australian parents supervised their children leading to increased stranger danger awareness. 

– It remains one of the most publicized disappearances in the country, with documentaries, books, and films exploring the mystery. 

– A $1 million reward is still available for information leading to answers. 

Despite over 50 years of investigations the disappearance of Jane, Arnna, and Grant remains unsolved. 

– Were they taken by a serial predator? 

– Did they trust the wrong person? 

– Will modern forensic advancements finally provide answers? 

Until then, their fate remains a mystery with their family and the world still searching for the truth. 

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers Australia at 1800 333 000.