Ricky’s family’s plea for answers as murder info reward is raised to $1M
RICKY Balcombe’s family hopes a new $1 million reward will help them find the answers they need ... and justice.
Geelong
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RICKY Balcombe’s family hope a new $1 million reward for information over their son’s death is enough to help finally lay their teenage son to rest 22 years after he was murdered in broad daylight.
$1M REWARD TO FIND RICKY’S KILLER
Fighting back tears, mother Christine Loader said enough time had passed for those with information, previously too scared to disclose it, to come forward and give her family peace at last.
“I think people in that generation are older now and maybe have families of their own. Your beliefs and feelings change as you get older,” she said.
“Hopefully some people get more compassionate.
“This is the time for people to open up.”
Ricky was murdered in front of distraught schoolchildren inside the side entrance to Market Square shopping centre on May 5, 1995.
Ricky had been standing with friend Paul Bellia near the lifts when a hooded man armed with a boning knife stabbed the Newcomb High School student to the legs and chest about 3.30pm.
Witnesses described the armed man as being 167cm tall, hooded with long dark hair. He fled on foot towards Yarra St.
“That was 22 years ago. It’s been going on too long now,” Mrs Loader said.
“I’ll never give up on getting some answers. The pain is there every day.
“Hopefully this reward is the end. It’s time for him to go to rest.”
Former homicide detective Ron Iddles previously told the Geelong Advertiser that a fight for power is believed to have played a part in the murder with the red bandannas and the blue bandannas fighting for hierarchy at the time of the teen’s death.
Bell Post Hill man Karl Hague was charged with Ricky’s murder in 1995 but the case was dropped a week before his 1998 Supreme Court trial.
A longstanding $50,000 reward for information on the murder has so far proved fruitless. The case is set to air on Channel 7 as part of its new Million Dollar Cold Case series.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Originally published as Ricky’s family’s plea for answers as murder info reward is raised to $1M