Two men have admitted to killing missing Adelaide man Michael Purse — renewing his family's hopes that his body will be found.
Michael Jeffrey Purse was last seen in the Adelaide CBD in February 2019.
David Graham Young, 41, and Edwin James Hinrichsen, 38, were expected to stand trial today accused of murdering Mr Purse.
Instead, they pleaded guilty to his manslaughter.
26-year-old Mark-Bry Andrew Leedham — who is also charged with Mr Purse's murder — has maintained his plea of not guilty.
Outside court, Mr Purse's father, Jeff, said the two manslaughter pleas came as a "surprise".
"It's very, very important that we've made this progression so far and we are glad of the progress that the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) has made," he said.
"We're happy with the result.
"It has some settling point for us.
"It's been very tough."
Mr Purse said he holds out hope his son's body will be found.
"We certainly hope that may occur."
Police have previously said they believe Mr Purse was lured from the Adelaide Casino to a unit at Kilburn where he was killed.
Officers believe his body was then put in a hatchback car seen driving north of Adelaide by traffic cameras.
He was reported missing in April 2019, with his disappearance declared a major crime months later.
The 32-year-old — who was born in Toowoomba — moved to Adelaide about a decade ago before his death.
The matter returns to court on Thursday.
