Police announce reward, DNA testing in 40-year cold case

Police have announced a $500,000 reward and will use the latest DNA technology in a fresh attempt to discover who killed Deborah Smykalla 40 years ago.

Police have announced a $500,000 reward and will use the latest DNA technology in a fresh attempt to discover who was behind the horrific murder of Deborah Smykalla 40 years ago.

Deborah was just 22 when she was brutally murdered at her home on Howlett Rd, Capalaba, on Father’s Day in 1981. Her housemates had been away for the weekend and one returned to find her dead with her head in the oven and a dog lead around her neck.

A post-mortem found Deborah had been strangled.

Her killer had attempted to turn the oven’s gas on and had lit two fires in the house to destroy the evidence - but the oven had a safety mechanism and the fires didn’t spread.

Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell from the Homicide Investigation Unit’s cold case team, said “new and enhanced” forensic testing would be used to find Deborah’s killer.

“As part of the original investigation, a total of 53 witness statements were taken and extensive inquiries were conducted,” she said.

Deborah Smykalla (centre) with her two sisters Elke (left) and Diana (right).

“We know there are people out there who can provide crucial information in regards to Deborah’s activities and movements around the time of her death. It is never too late to come forward.”

Det Sen Sgt Kentwell said the dog lead - which has never been tested for DNA - had been sent to New Zealand’s Institute of Environmental Science and Research for examination.

“Investigators are hopeful for a DNA breakthrough from this testing,” she said.

At the time of her death, Deborah was working for her father’s business, a hardware store, and sold items at the Mount Gravatt Flea Markets.

Deborah, described by family as a “free spirit” with a big heart, was a small-time dealer of cannabis and sold to a limited group of friends.

She had recently broken up with her long-term boyfriend Robert Cavallo. The couple had been together for four years but family have said the relationship was “on again, off again”.

Early media reports said Deborah had been seen with Mr Cavallo at the house earlier on the day she died - September 6 - where they were seen embracing in the garden.

Deborah Smykalla with then-boyfriend Robert Cavallo.

The Courier Mail does not suggest Mr Cavallo had any part in her death.

Other sightings of people at the house included a man described as being in his early 20s with a slim build and short brown hair who was talking to Deborah in the yard around 4pm.

And at 7.30pm, two people were seen sitting on the front porch. It is not known if one of those was Deborah.

Sometime between 4.30pm and 7.30pm, a motorbike, possibly a 250cc or 500cc road trail bike was seen at the Capalaba home.

Her body was found at 9.45pm by her housemate on his return from a weekend away.

Deborah Smykalla with then-boyfriend Robert Cavallo

“There is a $500,000 reward being offered for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Deborah Smykalla,” Det Sen Sgt Kentwell said.

Police would also like to speak to a person who provided anonymous information to police via an online Crime Stoppers submission on September 2, 2014.

Det Sen Sgt Kentwell said that person holds “valuable information” that could help solve the murder.

Sisters Elke Hall and Diana Walton. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Deborah’s sisters, Elke Hall and Diana Walton, pleaded for people with information to come forward.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank the Queensland cold case department for unwavering support for me and my sister in solving this case,” Ms Hall said.

“It’s been a long hard road to get to this point.”

Ms Walton said Deborah had been stolen from their family and their parents had died not knowing who killed her.

The house at Howlett Rd, Capalaba

“She never got to live her life, she never got to marry, she never got to have children. She never got to attend our weddings, she never got to meet her nieces and nephews,” she said.

“However, her murderer has been free to live their life while hers was cut short by their hands.

“That’s why we’re here today - to plead with you to come forward with any information regarding her murder.

“Any information could help. Debbie deserves justice and we would love to have closure to finally let this rest.”

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.