Murder investigation into Maroubra homeless man Peter Hofmann continues

CLOTHING believed to ­belong to the killer of a homeless pensioner and the knife supposedly used in his horrific murder have been discovered by police.

• Homeless man found murdered in his car in Maroubra
• Post mortem reveals homeless man stabbed to death

CLOTHING believed to ­belong to the killer of a homeless pensioner and the knife supposedly used in his horrific murder have been discovered by police.

In a breakthrough in the chilling case, forensic officers retrieved the clothes from a Lucas Heights rubbish dump, which they scoured for a fifth day for clues in the death of 68-year-old Peter Hofmann.

Investigators also revealed they had retrieved the murder weapon at the crime scene on the night Mr Hofmann was found dead slumped over the wheel of his car on June 21 in Maroubra in Sydney’s east. He had been stabbed to death.

Peter Hofmann, the night before he was found stabbed to death in his car in Maroubra.

Dubbed “Mr Lonely”, the retired bus driver was living in his car after being scammed out of his life savings. His sister Tricia Hofmann yesterday repeated a tearful plea for information to help find her older brother’s killer, describing, her brother as “a quiet, gentle man who would never hurt anyone”.

Police searching Lucas Heights tip in relation to Mr Hofmann’s murder.

Eastern Beaches Superintendent Karen McCarthy said officers were examining the items of clothing found at the tip in recent days.

READ MORE: Mr Lonely to be farewelled by friends and family

A witness last week reported clothing in a bin near the murder scene in Maroubra. Although the garbage was since collected, detectives traced the rubbish to the Lucas Heights dump.

The crime scene at Mons Ave, Maroubra on June 21. Picture: John Fotiadis

Peter Hofmann’s body was found in his car. Source: 7 NEWS

Describing the ongoing search for evidence as a “huge task”, Supt McCarthy said police were “dedicated to finding out who is responsible for this murder”.

The murder weapon was found at the crime scene on the night Mr Hofmann was killed but “at that particular point in time we were not in the position to release that information”, she said.

Police are as yet unsure about how many people were involved in the crime.

Mr Hofmann, who was a bus driver for almost 40 years, had been living in his car parked on Mons Ave since January.

The Daily Telegraph ­revealed last week he had a lover in Thailand who friends say swindled him. He was also tricked by fraudsters over a fake will.  

Peter Hofmann’s sister, Tricia is consoled by friend Diann Relf at the wake.

“Several of his friends offered him a place to live but being fiercely independent and honourable he wanted to work things out himself and therefore politely refused,” his sister Tricia said.

“Someone felt they had the right to brutally attack him and leave him to die alone. Please, if you saw anything or you know anything about this shameful attack, contact the police.”

Police are searching for clothing possibly dumped by the murderer.

On Monday, days after her brother was laid to rest, she visited the carpark he was murdered in and collected cards left by locals and friends.

The Maroubra community plans to hold a candlelight vigil in Mr Hofmann’s honour on Saturday.