A 68-year-old Melbourne man has been arrested and will face a murder charge in relation to the death of Canberra woman, Irma Palasics, in a violent home invasion more than 20 years ago.
Police say that at around 9.30pm on Saturday 6 November 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,” ACT Policing said in a statement.
A significant investigation was commenced with multiple avenues of inquiry considered.
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.
“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 today. He is expected to be extradited to the ACT in the coming days,” Police said
Detective Superintendent Scott Moller from ACT Policing’s Criminal Investigations said today’s outcome was immensely satisfying – especially to be able to provide the Palasics’ family with the answer they had sought for more than two decades.
“As a police officer, it is a great day when officers can make the call to family members that the person responsible for the death of a loved one has been identified and is now in custody,” Detective Superintendent Moller said.
“Homicide investigations are significantly complex. They require determination and extreme dedication – and, thankfully in this case the dedication of ACT Policing Criminal Investigations has led us to today’s result.
“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 responsible for this horrific crime is now in custody.
“We are continuing to work to identify and charge the second offender. We urge this man to come forward as soon as possible.
“I am confident it is only a matter of time before we have the second offender in custody, and are able to provide full closure for the family and the Canberra community.
“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. The $500,000 reward offer remains active and information received from today can still be considered for this reward.”
In a statement on behalf of the Palasics family, they said that even after nearly 24 years of pain, questioning and uncertainty they had never given up hope of finding out who was responsible for the heinous crime.
“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,” the statement reads.
“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.
“My grandparents did not deserve what happened to them. Not only was Irma murdered but Gregor’s life all but ended on that night and ours have never been the same.
“We ask that our family be given privacy to process this major milestone and encourage anyone who may be able to assist ACT Policing as they continue to investigate Irma’s murder to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” the statement concluded.
