Homicide Squad detectives today announced a $1 million dollar reward for information into the suspicious death of Robert ‘Jack’ Richardson almost 40 years ago.
The 49-year-old’s body was located by members of the public in bushland off King Parrot Creek Road near Strath Creek on March 31, 1984.
It’s believed Robert, who was more commonly known to his friends and associates as ‘Jack’, had been shot in an execution-style killing.
“Every person who loses their life in this way, regardless of their background or personal circumstances, deserves justice,” Detective Inspector Dean Thomas, Crime Command, said.
He had last been seen with two unidentified men in St Kilda between 1.20am and 2am on March 4, 1984 and police believe he was murdered some time later on this day.
Jack had been due to appear at Melbourne County Court on March 5 after being charged, along with two co-accused, with conspiring to traffick heroin.
This investigation involved a high-level organised crime syndicate operating in Melbourne at the time, with connections to the Painters and Dockers Union.
“The fact that Jack’s murder is unsolved also means that we have had someone out there in the community for almost four decades who has never been held to account for their behaviour,” Det. Insp. Thomas said.
The matter was also linked to an attempt on the life of a NSW Police undercover operative, who was a prosecution witness in the case.
After being committed to stand trial, Jack was granted bail and had been living in St Kilda with his girlfriend.
Despite a significant investigation at the time, no one has ever been charged with Jack’s murder.
A 1985 inquest into his death found that Jack had been murdered by a person or persons unknown.
Investigators believe Jack’s death was most likely arranged with the assistance and knowledge of several people, including some he would have known well and trusted as friends.
Since the time of the original investigation, detectives have received further information about Jack’s death and those potentially responsible however at this time there is insufficient evidence to charge anyone.
A forensic re-examination of an exhibit located at the crime scene has also been conducted and fresh DNA has been identified.
Police believe this will also provide further avenues of enquiry for the investigation.
Victoria Police today announced a $1 million dollar reward for information in relation to those responsible for Jack’s death in the hope it will provide new leads and result in those responsible being held to account.
A reward of up to $1 million will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police, for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Robert ‘Jack’ Richardson.
“This reward provides another opportunity for police to highlight that this case remains unsolved and hopefully it helps us progress the case,” Det. Insp. Thomas said.
The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider, according to established guidelines, the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in this matter.
“We believe it’s likely people formerly associated with that union [Painters and Dockers] would have at least had knowledge about what happened to Jack and who was involved,” Det. Insp. Thomas said.
First for Murrindindi Shire news
VicNews
Murrindindi Shire’s most-read news site.
