Steve Fabriczy targeted by undercover police in Irma Palasics murder investigation
Police posed as criminals as part of an elaborate sting designed to solve a cold case killing, court documents have revealed.
Canberra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Canberra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Undercover police offered to make a murder investigation “go away” by “fixing” DNA evidence that allegedly links an accused killer to the scene of a Canberra cold case.
The covert strategy has been revealed in documents tendered to the ACT Magistrates Court as part of the cases against alleged murderers Steve Fabriczy, 69, and Joseph Vekony, 68.
Both men have been committed to the ACT Supreme Court for trial, having pleaded not guilty to charges that include the alleged November 1999 murder of Irma Palasics, 72.
Police allege the pair violently invaded Mrs Palasics’ home in McKellar to steal valuables in a third instance of what court documents call “a deliberate and targeted series of burglaries”.
The first two alleged home invasions occurred in 1997 and 1998, when Mrs Palasics and her husband, Gregor Palasics, lived in the Canberra suburb of Red Hill.
In November 1999, by which time the couple had moved to McKellar, police allege two balaclava-clad men burst into their home.
According to police, a subsequent forensic examination indicated Mrs Palasics was “violently assaulted whilst sitting in the lounge chair”.
“The chair was found tipped on its side and her false teeth and drops of blood were found nearby,” police state in court documents.
Mr Palasics, who was 73 at the time, was tied up and beaten but survived the incident.
Once it was finished, police say he found his wife lying face down in a hallway with tape wrapped around her mouth and “blood everywhere”.
“He could not find a pulse and could not get any response when he called her name,” police state in court documents. “He realised she was dead.”
Before Mr Palasics died of unrelated causes in 2004, he told police he had seen one of the intruders open his fridge and drink from something inside it.
This was what gave investigators a major breakthrough in 2020, when Australian Federal Police forensics officers claim to have matched DNA from a milk container to Fabriczy.
Court documents reveal police subsequently launched an elaborate sting in October 2022, with undercover officers allegedly recruiting Fabriczy to join a fictitious criminal syndicate.
Police allege Fabriczy “voluntarily and eagerly” participated in the activities of the fictitious syndicate, which purported to be involved in “various forms of criminal and corrupt conduct”.
According to court documents, Fabriczy was led to believe the syndicate had significant influence with a corrupt law enforcement officer who could help resolve “any difficulties”.
The purported head of the syndicate used this in September 2023, when police say Fabriczy was called to a meeting and advised his DNA linked him to Mrs Palasics’ death.
“He was offered the opportunity of the corrupt law enforcement officer ‘fixing’ this evidential link, and the investigation of his involvement in the death to ‘go away’ without consequence for him,” police allege in court documents.
“The implementation of the fix was contingent upon [Fabriczy] being honest.”
According to police, Fabriczy admitted having travelled from Melbourne to Canberra to help an associate steal from a home that was believed to contain up to $50,000 in cash.
Police say he claimed to have waited outside while the associate broke into the house.
Upon being questioned about his DNA allegedly being found in the home, police say Fabriczy eventually admitted going inside to help the associate climb out a window.
Police say he repeatedly denied killing Mrs Palasics.
“I had nothing to do with that murder or whatever it is that happened,” Fabriczy allegedly told the undercover officers. “I don’t know what happened to the lady.”
Fabriczy was arrested later in September 2023 and extradited to the ACT.
During a subsequent police interview, investigators claim he told them he found out about an “opportunity to make some money” from the Palasics through a man he called “Joe Vekon”.
“He implied that Joe was responsible for the assault of the Palasics,” police allege in court documents.
“He repeatedly stated that he had ‘nothing to do with [Mrs Palasics’] murder.”
Police arrested Vekony in Melbourne in December 2023, when he was extradited to the ACT.
According to court documents, he participated in a police interview and denied involvement in any of the burglaries at the Palasics’ homes.
“He stated he has never been to Canberra,” police say in the documents.
However, police allege Vekony’s DNA was found on a balaclava left at the Red Hill home, as well as a water jug at the McKellar house.
On Monday, Vekony faced court via audiovisual link from Canberra’s jail as magistrate Alexandra Burt committed him for trial.
He has pleaded not guilty to murder, armed robbery, unlawful confinement, burglary, two counts of aggravated burglary, and two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Asked if he had any questions for Ms Burt, Vekony replied through a Hungarian interpreter.
“I can’t find words,” he said.
Fabriczy was committed for trial last month, having pleaded not guilty to murder, armed robbery, unlawful confinement, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and two counts of aggravated burglary.
Both men’s cases are listed for administrative hearings in the Supreme Court later this month.
From City v County to Aussie rugby jersey! Teen’s story inspiring
Last year a teenager made his first NSW country team, played his heart out and is now inspiring other young guns from the bush as a rising star of rugby.
Australia baseball’s rollercoaster off-season takes new twist
The Australian Baseball League’s turbulent off-season has taken another twist after one ownership group was stripped of its license with an idea of future plans also revealed.