Murder of Melbourne gangland identity Willy Thompson remains unsolved

A CORONIAL investigation into slain gangland identity William ‘Willy’ Thompson remains unsolved with detectives no closer to solving the murder 14 years on.

Drug dealer shooting murder victim William "Willy" Thompson 29 Sep 2002.

A CORONIAL investigation into slain gangland identity William ‘Willy’ Thompson remains unsolved with detectives no closer to solving the murder 14 years on.

Court documents tabled on June 29 showed Thompson had just left a Chadstone gym on Waverley Rd and was in his car when a Ford Falcon and a van boxed him in at about 9.15pm on July 21, 2003.

A gunman leapt from the Falcon and shot Thompson as he sat in his car.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

An autopsy found he died from gunshot injuries to the head and chest.

State Coroner Sara Hinchey said despite an extensive homicide investigation conducted by the Purana Task Force, police were no closer to charging anyone.

“The person or persons responsible for Mr Thompson’s death have not been formally identified,” Ms Hinchey said.

She said Victoria Police and the Purana Task Force had conducted an extremely thorough investigation into the murder.

“In making this finding … Mr Thompson’s death is an unsolved and open homicide case.”

“I am satisfied that no investigation which I am empowered to undertake, would be likely to result in the identification of the person or persons who caused Mr Thompson’s death.”

At the time of his death, Thompson was being investigated by police in relation to drug offences.