David Auchterlonie told son 'Be safe' hours later he was dead

LATE on Saturday afternoon, David Auchterlonie phoned his eldest son to wish him a happy 17th birthday - and make sure he stayed safe that night.

His son, David Jr, had spent the day at his grandparents' home in the NSW Southern Highlands and was planning to go out with mates that night for a low-key celebration. Just hours later, David was dead.

The much loved teenager, one of eight children, was allegedly murdered in the Belanglo State Forest - his body dumped in a shallow grave under a pile of dirt and dry leaves.

Last night Mr Auchterlonie, who gave The Daily Telegraph written permission to name his son as a child victim of crime, said he was at a loss to understand how anyone could so viciously attack his son, least of all on his birthday.

"I said to him, 'Have a good night, be good and be safe'," Mr Auchterlonie said.

"It was his birthday, this happened on his birthday," he said, shaking his head.

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