Nearly 30 years ago, a bomb was strapped to John Furlan’s car and he was killed instantly. We still don’t know who did it

In 1998, a bomb was strapped to John Furlan’s car, blasting it down the street. His death remains a mystery, but police are hoping a fresh $1m reward will loosen the tongues of those who might know more.

The scene in after an explosion in a car. John Furlan, 48, was killed instantly. Picture: Supplied

A $1m reward is on offer to help solve the “brutal” car bombing murder of businessman Gianni “John” Furlan more than two decades ago.

Mr Furlan, 48, was driving to work in Coburg North when a bomb that was strapped to his car exploded on August 3 1998, killing him instantly.

No one has ever been charged with his murder, but detectives believe they can solve his case.

Arson and Explosive Squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said there were people in the community who knew those responsible for Mr Furlan’s death.

“John’s death was shocking, brutal and a horrendous act of violence that put the lives of many innocent civilians going about their daily life at risk,” Detective Inspector Murray said.

“I hope whoever is responsible for John’s death thinks about it every day.

“I hope it weighs heavily on their mind along with the expectation that one day, police are going to catch up with them.

“We have every reason to believe someone out there today knows what happened to John and who is responsible.”

A $1m reward is on offer to help solve the “brutal” car bombing murder of businessman Gianni “John” Furlan more than two decades ago. Picture: Supplied

The force of the bomb fitted to Mr Furlan’s white Subaru Liberty sedan was so strong that his car catapulted 15m down Lorensen Ave and shattered the windows of shopfronts up to 300m away.

No one else was injured in the explosion, which could be heard up to 5km away.

Detectives believe Mr Furlan’s killers fitted his car with the explosive device a few days before his death, when he stayed with a friend in Hobart for four days.

Mr Furlan had left his car parked behind a tall timber fence at his home on Sydney Rd and witnesses reported seeing two suspicious vehicles near his house at the time.

The businessman was driving to work along his usual route from his house to his auto wrecking business on Sages Rd.

He made his usual stop at the Merlynston News Agency for a coffee and the newspaper during the drive shortly before the bomb, made with commercial explosives, detonated.

“It has been almost 30 years since John’s death, but I would like to strongly reinforce that this is both an active investigation, and one that we believe is solvable,” Detective Inspector Murray said.

“We know people who commit or are part of horrific crimes such as these will often disclose their actions to someone.

“For that reason, detectives are putting a $1 million dollar reward on the table for information that allows us to identify, arrest and convict those responsible for his murder.”

The force of the bomb fitted to Mr Furlan’s white Subaru Liberty sedan was so strong that his car catapulted 15m down Lorensen Ave and shattered the windows of shopfronts up to 300m away. Picture: Supplied

In 2013, the Herald Sun revealed that a specialist task force would be established to investigate Mr Furlan’s death.

It was also revealed that Mr Furlan had disclosed his fears to a friend that he was being followed in the lead-up to the explosion.

A 2017 Coronial Inquisition found that Mr Furlan had been killed by blast damage.

A $100,000 reward for information about his death was previously announced in 2000.

The new $1m reward announced on Monday would be paid to anyone who comes forward with information about the bombing that directly leads to the arrest and conviction of Mr Furlan’s killers – a decision made by the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police.

The Director of Public Prosecutions weighs up whether to grant someone coming forward with information immunity from prosecution if it is requested.

Anyone with information about Mr Furlan’s murder should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Originally published as Nearly 30 years ago, a bomb was strapped to John Furlan’s car and he was killed instantly. We still don’t know who did it