Paul Virgona’s family hits out at ‘hurtful’ rumours as EastLink shooting clue unearthed
The devastated family of EastLink execution victim Paul Virgona has hit out at “hurtful” rumours surrounding his brutal death, making an emotional plea for justice. It comes as detectives unearthed a crucial clue in the cold-blooded shooting.
Cold Cases
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cold Cases. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The family of EastLink execution victim, Paul Virgona, is pleading for help to catch his killers, as police reveal several “persons of interest” have emerged from the criminal underworld.
Mr Virgona’s son, Luca Virgona, 17, bravely fronted the media today to reveal his family’s heartbreak and urge the public to help deliver “justice where there is none”.
Luca said his father’s brutal murder was a “life sentence” for his broken family.
His mother and Paul’s wife, Antoinetta, held back tears as she clutched her son’s hand during the emotional press conference.
“The death of my father has left us all distraught and will forever do so,” Luca said.
“No amount of effort, pleading or good will will bring him back and the shock of his absence will never cease.
“There are people out there that know why this happened to my father. All we ask is that they come forward to provide us some justice where there is none.”
Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper revealed a number of “persons of interest” had emerged in the investigation.
These people belong to organised crime and criminal underworld groups, he said.
Detective Stamper said the hit was “extensively planned” and that a number of items, including a Nike jumper, found at the multiple crime scenes were being examined.
Homicide squad detectives have released images of the top, dropped by one of the killers as they bolted from police in a Bayswater park.
It was revealed Mr Virgona was in the process of winding down his fruit and vegetable business in Thornbury.
LACK OF MOTIVE PUZZLING DETECTIVES
Investigators have looked into the possibility he was targeted due to his work or possible links to organised crime and the mafia.
However, Detective Stamper said there was nothing to indicate this was a motive for his killing.
He said the case was “perplexing” as no motive had come to the surface after two months of extensive investigation.
Asked if Mr Virgona could have been living a “double life”, Mr Stamper said: “If he was, he was doing it extremely well.”
Luca said his dad was a good man and that speculation linking his murder to the fruit industry was hurtful.
“This speculation has not been based on facts and leads to rumour and innuendo and has been hurtful to my family,” he said.
The night before his brutal ambush, Mr Virgona and his son stayed up talking about footy.
Mr Virgona had just taken up a coaching role at Croydon Football Club and his son has offered to help him with training players before the 2020 season.
Luca said “things were going well” before his dad was killed, and nothing led him to believe his dad was in danger.
Mr Stamper said he was “very confident” the father’s killers would be caught with the help of the public.
The Nike jumper was located near the VW Amarok ute used by the killers to flee from Mooroolbark after setting fire to the Mercedes Benz used in the freeway hit.
It is not yet known if the top has yielded DNA samples.
In an early breakthrough, investigators seized the killers’ second getaway car on the night of the suspected contract murder before it could be incinerated, potentially yielding vital forensic evidence. The garment is black and grey and has a zip on the left side. Investigators want to hear from anyone who recognises the top and can give information on who owns it.
HOW EASTLINK EXECUTION UNFOLDED
Paul Virgona, 46, was shot from a stolen Mercedes-Benz on EastLink at Donvale. The car was driven beside his van as he headed to work, at 2.20am on November 9.
Mistaken identity had not been dismissed, but it appears increasingly unlikely.
The killers waited for Mr Virgona to leave his home in Croydon and followed him.
It is believed the shooter opened fire from the passenger side as his mate drove alongside Mr Virgona’s white VW van near the Mullum Mullum tunnel.
Their Mercedes was then driven to Jaxlee Court in Mooroolbark where it was set alight by the killers.
They drove away in a waiting VW Amarok ute with cloned number plates, but abandoned it near Mountain Highway with police on their tail. The pair then dashed into Marie Wallace Park where the Nike top was later found.
Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said no motive had been found, despite extensive inquiries.
“Over the past couple of months, investigators have spent time going through Paul’s life, his family, his associates, his financial situation, really anything that could possibly give us a clue about why someone wanted to do this to him,” he said.
“So far there is nothing that stands out to us. Paul was loved by family and friends.”
MORE NEWS
PREMIER WARNS FIRE DANGER FAR FROM OVER
AFL PLANS STATE OF ORIGIN REVIVAL FOR BUSHFIRES
SUSPENDED HORSE TRAINER SET FOR MORE CHARGES
Insp Stamper said there had to be a reason and appealed for community help to uncover it.
Investigators have renewed their appeal for anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward.
They want to hear from anyone living or travelling near the park who can supply footage from the area.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au
Originally published as Paul Virgona’s family hits out at ‘hurtful’ rumours as EastLink shooting clue unearthed