Home invaders fatally lit chef, dad of three and library volunteer Franco Murat on fire — and opals may have been the motive

Franco Murat was an invalid pensioner who was fatally set on fire by three people who broke into his Adelaide home — they were never caught. However, a cache of opals may be the key to solving his callous murder.

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A cache of opals could hold the key to the callous murder of Blair Athol pensioner Franco Murat almost two decades ago.

Major Crime detectives have revealed a quantity of opals mined by the invalid pensioner over many years was stolen during the targeted robbery of his home.

Franco Murat. Picture: SA Police

But while robbery has emerged as the likely motive, detectives are baffled as to why those responsible took the extreme step of setting Mr Murat alight.

In a planned attack, a pillow case was placed over Mr Murat’s head before he was doused in an accelerant — taken to the scene by his killers — and then set alight.

He remained on life support fighting for survival in Royal Adelaide Hospital for three weeks before succumbing to horrific burns to most of his upper body.

Major Crime case officer Detective Brevet Sergeant Simon May said such extreme violence of this nature was “rarely’’ encountered in homicides.

“It is an incredibly callous thing to do. It is a horrific way to die, I don’t think there is any other way you could describe it,’’ he said.

At least three people broke into Mr Murat’s modest Prospect Rd, Blair Athol home about 10pm on Monday, August 16 1999.

Entry was gained by forcing the back door and Mr Murat was confronted in his bedroom.

A short time later neighbours, alerted by barking dogs, saw Mr Murat on fire and running along the driveway of his house.

Neighbours described the sickening sight of burnt flesh as he screamed for help before collapsing with burns to more than 30 per cent of his body.

Franco Murat inside an ambulance after being set on fire. Picture: Channel 10

Crucially, Mr Murat, 60, was able to tell one of the first uniformed officers on the scene that two men and a woman were responsible, but was unable to provide any further description.

Before he was placed in an induced coma he told a nurse the same thing.

Besides telling police three people were involved, he revealed they had asked him for the keys to his silver Magna vehicle.

The burnt-out vehicle was found just a kilometre away in a laneway off Stanley Ave at Blair Athol.

A container which held the accelerant used to set both the victim and his car alight was in the charred shell.

Despite the fact three people entered the house, detectives have been unable to recover any forensic evidence, indicating the trio were possibly wearing gloves.

“It appears several rooms were ransacked, the kitchen and a living room,’’ Det. Bvt Sgt May said.

A search of the house located numerous items of jewellery — rings and necklaces — hidden in several locations, but opal Mr Murat was known to have collected during trips to Coober Pedy was missing.

“It had been a bit of a hobby of his that he picked up after he came to Australia,’’ he said.

Mr Murat and his wife Rina migrated to South Australia from Switzerland in 1978.

A chef, he operated a restaurant there and prior to that served in the French Foreign Legion.

Franco Murat’s burnt out Magna sedan. Picture: Supplied

After arriving in Adelaide he worked in several restaurants before he suffered a workplace injury and retired.

Mr Murat and his wife had separated about five years before his death. She returned to Switzerland 24 months after he died. One son still lives in Adelaide, one lives in northern Queensland and a third lives in the UK.

The retireee had lived by himself since the separation and had only a small circle of friends.

He was a volunteer at the Adelaide City Council’s library and detectives are unaware of any enemies he may have had.

Det. Bvt Sgt May said he believed Mr Murat was targeted in a planned attack, but there is limited information available on who may have known about the valuables he kept in his house.

“It would have been fairly limited, the number of people who knew his circumstances,’’ Det. Bvt Sgt May said.

“He kept fairly much to himself. It is a mystery, limited people would have known he had the jewellery and opals in his house.

“It could be someone known to him, but there are no suspects at this time.’’

SA police officer Greg Merrett at the home of Franco Murat.

Det. Bvt Sgt May said the fact three people were involved in Mr Murat’s murder could assist in solving it.

The likelihood that one or more of those involved may have told others is strong, as detectives have found countless times in other murder cases where there are multiple offenders.

“I would appeal for anyone who is in this position to contact us,’’ he said. “Allegiances and friendships change over time. A lot could have happened between these people over the past 19 years and they may now feel comfortable talking to us and sharing the information they have.

Any new information that could assist us would be invaluable.’’

He said anyone involved in the opal industry who may have information was also urged to contact police.

A reward of up to $200,000 is available for anyone who provides information that results in a conviction in the case.