A 68-year-old Melbourne man has been arrested and will face a murder charge following the death of Irma Palasics in a violent home invasion in November 1999.
About 9.30pm on November 6 1999, two men forced their way into the McKellar home of elderly couple, Gregor and Irma Palasics.
The couple were bound and savagely beaten before the men ransacked their home and stole cash and jewellery. Irma did not survive her injuries and died at the scene.
Police say key to the investigations were two previous incidents where the Palasics were victims of a burglary in 1997 and an aggravated burglary in 1998 when they lived in Red Hill.
A reward of $500,000 was offered in 2012, and police subsequently released information relating to footwear worn by one of the offenders.
Police say that following a review of the investigation and other outstanding cases, in 2021 a new investigative strategy was commenced, leading to the arrest of the 68-year-old man at his home in Rowville in Melbourne on Wednesday. He is expected to be extradited to the ACT in the coming days.
Detective Superintendent Scott Moller from ACT Policing’s Criminal Investigations said today’s outcome was immensely satisfying.
“As a police officer, it is a great day when officers can make the call to family members that the person [alleged to be] responsible for the death of a loved one has been identified and is now in custody,” Detective Superintendent Moller said.
“The family of Irma Palasics never gave up hope, never ceased asking for community assistance and always worked to keep the case in people’s minds. To be able to achieve today’s outcome will provide some comfort that one of the people [allegedly] responsible for this horrific crime is now in custody.
He said police were working to identify and charge the second offender.
“We are also renewing our calls for anyone with any information about this case to come forward. We hope that now a person is in custody, people may be more confident to provide police with their information,” he said.
“The $500,000 reward offer remains active and information received from today can still be considered for this reward.”
In a media statement the Palasics family thanked police saying: “After nearly 24 years of pain, questioning and uncertainty, we have never given up hope of finding out who was responsible for this heinous act.
“Thanks to the efforts of the criminal investigation unit of the AFP and commitment of AFP commissioner, Reece Kershaw, one of the alleged offenders involved in the murder of my grandmother is finally facing justice.
“There are numerous people over many years that we wish to express our deep gratitude to. The first responders for attending Irma and Gregor’s home on the evening of her murder; the police officers, including our victim liaison officer who informed us of the incident in the early hours of the following day, and every police investigator who has been involved with the case since. Today’s news is a testament to their dedication over decades.
“We would also like to thank the Canberra community who have been with us for the last 24 years. All the calls to Crime Stoppers, sharing of information and engagement on our social media pages. You fuelled our hope that together we could deliver justice for Irma and Gregor.
“Not only was Irma murdered but Gregor’s life all but ended on that night and ours have never been the same.”
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