Shannon McCormack’s parents hopeful new advancement in technology can help find their son’s killer: Coroner’s Court

The heartbroken family of a young man killed in an unprovoked attack outside a Southbank nightclub 16 years ago wants their son’s killer to know he “didn’t get away with (it)”.

The heartbroken family of a young man killed in an unprovoked attack outside a Southbank nightclub 16 years ago wants their son’s killer to know he “didn’t get away with (it)” as they push for further DNA testing.

Shannon McCormack’s mother Cheryl and father William appeared in the Coroner’s Court on Wednesday for a second hearing into reopening investigations into his death.

They want the case reopened to explore the possibility of tracing the DNA of their son’s perpetrator from inside the shirtsleeve of his friend, Michael Novak, who was present during the attack.

Mr McCormack hopes technological advancements in DNA testing and facial recognition since the 22-year-old’s death in 2007 could help find the unknown assailant.

There is a $1m reward to help find Shannon McCormack’s killer. Picture: Supplied / Victoria Police

Shannon, from Eltham, was just 22 years old when he was killed in 2007. Picture: Supplied / Victoria Police

However, the court heard it was highly “unlikely”, though “not impossible”, to separate the killer’s DNA with that of others on the sleeve.

Victoria Police senior forensic scientist Jenelle Heffernan told the court the department was waiting for a new version of the technology which was likely to arrive by the end of this year.

Shannon McCormack was killed outside QBH nightclub. Picture: Mark Smith

Speaking outside the courthouse, Mr McCormack said the family was desperate for answers.

“This is our last chance. We don’t want to ruin it so we’re prepared to wait for technology to get better,” he said.

Mr McCormack said he wanted closure but also wanted to let the perpetrator know “he didn’t get away with this”.

“One of our children never coped … he shut down and never recovered from his brother’s death and is still quite distraught,” he said.

“When you lose a child, the world stops. People go about to have happy lives, but we’re trapped in this hell.

“You never get over it.”

Shannon McCormack at age 17. Picture: Mark Smith

Detective Sergeant Scott Jones told the court police were pursuing all leads but there had so far been no new developments, despite a $1m reward being posted in 2023.

Mr McCormack asked the court if he could get a copy of the original CCTV footage video.

“One particular bit in the video from the nightclub shows Shannon coming out of the club before he was hit,” he said.

“He was smiling, and I want it.”

Coroner Simon McGregor agreed to give the footage as it would be “therapeutic” for the family and a “keepsake”.

Cheryl and William McCormack outside the Coroner’s Court on Wednesday. Picture: Himangi Singh

Mr McGregor adjourned the case to June next year, saying the threshold to reopen an inquest happened only if there were new facts and circumstances.

“The threshold is new technologies … so far, the tech has not found anything new, but it keeps evolving,” he said.

“The only wrinkle is that you can make the application only once with the new facts and circumstances; I sense you would prefer to adjourn it until the new evidence.

“I accept Dr Heffernan’s submission that it’s not impossible to find a new lead.”

Outside of court, Mrs McCormack was emotional and said the fight to bring justice was starting to take a toll on them, but they would “just keep on keeping on”.

“Thank you to all of you for keeping Shannon’s memory alive over the years … we don’t want him to be forgotten,” she said.