Million dollar reward offered over information into 1984 ‘execution’ of Melbourne dad

Richardson, 49, had robust hyperlinks to organised crime and was attributable to face court docket together with two others over heroin trafficking prices, earlier than his physique was discovered dumped in bushland off King Parrot Creek Road close to Strath Creek on March 31, 1984.

A father to a younger daughter on the time, police say Richardson was shot useless in an execution-style killing.

He was final seen with two males in St Kilda between 1.20am and 2am on March 4, with detectives believing he was murdered a while later that day.

The killing has additionally since been linked to an tried homicide of a NSW Police undercover officer, who was a prosecution witness within the case.

Police say the investigation was closely linked to “high-level” organised crime, with connections to the Painters and Dockers union.

Richardson, who had been granted bail over the trafficking prices, was dwelling together with his girlfriend in St Kilda on the time of his homicide.

An preliminary inquest in 1985 discovered that he was killed by assassins unknown to him, with the homicide almost certainly organized by folks he trusted, together with buddies.

“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,” Victoria Police stated in a press release.

“A forensic re-examination of an exhibit located at the crime scene has also been conducted and fresh DNA has been identified.

“Police imagine this can even present additional avenues of enquiry for the investigation.”

Police today announced a $1 million reward for information in relation to those responsible for Richard’s death, in the hope it will provide new leads.

“Every one who loses their life on this manner, no matter their background or private circumstances, deserves justice,” Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said.

“The undeniable fact that Jack’s homicide is unsolved additionally signifies that we now have had somebody on the market in the neighborhood for nearly 4 many years who has by no means been held to account for his or her behaviour.

“This was someone willing to commit the ultimate act of violence with no regard for the life of others.

“These elements alone make this investigation an essential one and one which we’re nonetheless very eager to resolve.”

Thomas said “Jack additionally had a younger daughter on the time of his loss of life” who “sadly has grown up with out a father” and “by no means knew” who killed her dad and why.

“Jack’s loss of life had all of the hallmarks of an underworld execution and the proof suggests he in all probability had no warning he was going to be killed and trusted the one who did it,” he said.

“Ultimately, his deadly mistake could have been trusting the improper individual.

“It’s not just the person who pulled the trigger who we are searching for, it’s also anyone who assisted with jack’s murder both before and after it occurred.

“The drug matter Jack was concerned with earlier than his loss of life had important hyperlinks to each organised crime in Melbourne, particularly legal parts of the infamous Painters and Dockers union.

“It’s also worth noting the timing of Jack’s death – it occurred two years to the day after the original police arrests in relation to the drug investigation and the day before the trial was meant to begin.

“We don’t imagine that this was in any manner coincidental.”