Ellie Price murder: Suspect Ricky Barbaro wanted
The family of murdered Melbourne woman Ellie Price have spoken publicly about her tragic death.
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The family of murdered Melbourne woman Ellie Price say they are living a nightmare while her alleged killer remains on the run.
Ricardo “Rick” Barbaro, 33, has been on the run from police since the 26-year- old’s body was found in a South Melbourne townhouse last Monday. The mother-of-one likely suffered a violent assault on April 28 or 29 and may have been dead for days before being found, police say.
Her mother Tracey Gangell tearfully told Seven Network she wakes up every morning heartbroken, realising the past week “is not a dream”.
“I feel so bad because a mother’s supposed to protect their kids and I didn’t protect her, I couldn’t be there to help her,” she said on Sunday.
“She thought he loved her. There was no love there,” Ms Price’s grandmother Sherry Bradford added.
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The pair live in Hobart, where they are caring for Ms Price’s four-year-old son Mostafa.
“My heart’s just broken into a million pieces for her little boy,” Ms Gangell said.
The hunt for Barbaro continues, as his stepmother pleaded for him to turn himself in to police.
“Firstly to Ellie and her family, words cannot describe the heartache we have for you all, especially for her little boy. We can’t possibly imagine how he must now face life and continue living without his Mummy,” Barbaro’s stepmother Anita said in a statement to Nine Network.
“Ricky, we’re extremely worried about you, we’re in complete disbelief as we know you to be the man who is gentle and loving, you’re a great father and brother to all.
“Ricky Son, if you’ve done anything wrong, please come forward and do the right thing for the sake of this poor young woman and family, and the incomprehensible pain they must be suffering. You need make contact with somebody.”
Ms Gangell last week told The Herald Sun her daughter had a “heart of gold” and alleged Ms Price had recently been the victim of a violent domestic incident and had needed hospitalisation and stitches above her eye.
Weeks before her death the young mum shared a heartfelt post on social media urging people not to take life for granted. She said she hoped the coronavirus pandemic would make people “stronger” and “kinder to people”.
Barbaro is the brother of Sydney underworld boss Pasquale Timothy Barbaro, who was gunned down in 2016.
His grandfather Peter Pasquale Barbaro was also gunned down in Brisbane in 1990 while his father’s cousin Pasquale Barbaro was killed alongside underworld figure Jason Moran while watching a children’s football training session in 2003.
Another Pasquale Barbaro, from Griffith, was sentenced to 30 years’ jail for importing what was then the world’s biggest ecstasy haul into Melbourne. Police believe Barbaro could be travelling in his white 2009 Toyota Hiace van, with registration 1OZ 8PC.
He is described as 185cm tall with a solid build, black hair and olive complexion.
Anyone who sees Barbaro should not approach him but call triple-0 or Crime Stoppers.
– with AAP
Originally published as Ellie Price murder: Suspect Ricky Barbaro wanted
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