Graham ‘the Munster’ Kinniburgh killing: divers search for murder weapon
POLICE are confident divers combing a reservoir will find firearms used in the underworld murder of Graham “Munster” Kinniburgh more than a decade ago.
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POLICE are confident divers combing a country reservoir will find the firearms used in the murder of underworld figure Graham “the Munster” Kinniburgh more than a decade ago.
Detectives this afternoon revealed the search — at Pykes Creek Reservoir east of Ballarat — was contained to an area near a water tower as a result of information gained through the Purana Taskforce.
They also believe other evidence relating to the 2003 murder may be there.
Purana Taskforce Detective Inspector Andrew Gustke said while one person had been charged over the killing it was believed others were involved.
It was thought the firearms were dumped in the reservoir soon after the crime.
“We believe that the firearms there are the firearms that were used in the killing,’’ Insp Gustke said.
“It is our strong belief and we have very strong evidence to suggest that there were two killers in relation to the death of Graham Kinniburgh.
“It’s most likely the perpetrators have thrown the firearms into the Pykes Creek Reservoir there because of its isolation and I would suggest that they would believe that we would never find them.”
Search and Rescue members are searching the reservoir, which is off Pykes Creek Rd near Greendale-Myrniong Rd, in Myrniong near Ballan.
Sandy soil at the base of the waterway could prolong the search along with today’s extreme weather however water levels are lower than usual.
Kinniburgh, 62, was gunned down outside his Kew home on December 13, 2003.
Stephen John Asling was last year charged with one count of murder over the killing.
In January the remains of career criminal Terrence Blewitt, suspected of involvement in the murder, were unearthed in vacant industrial land at Thomastown.
“The extensive statements and interviews that we’ve taken over the last 13 years culminates in this location,’’ Insp Gustke said of the reservoir.
“Each discovery in relation to the Thomastown discovery and what we hope to find out at Pykes Creek leads us on to another piece of the pie so to speak.
“It is an ongoing investigation.
“It could take some time for us to do a proper search.
“We will continue searching that reservoir until we can positively rule out whether there are any firearms or other evidence there.
“The location of the murder weapon or weapons would be forensically of value to us, especially with an upcoming trial and it may lead us in another direction as well.
“There are other persons of interest and other witnesses of interest too and we would appeal for any of those persons to come forward.
“Purana Taskforce and Victoria Police owe it to the victims of these crimes to try and bring some justice and closure to this.
“Just because of the age of the investigation doesn’t mean that we stop. We continue on.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au.