Mario Condello killing: The last of the gangland murders

THE investigation into a professional hit on Mario Condello is at a standstill almost a decade after he was gunned down outside his home.

THE investigation into a professional hit on Mario Condello is at a standstill almost a decade after he was gunned down outside his home.

Condello, who laundered money for the mafia, was about to face trial over allegations he had conspired to kill Carl Williams.

The Herald Sun understands there is intelligence linking the mafia to the Brighton murder, which remains unsolved. Condello, 53, was ambushed on arriving home shortly before 10pm on February 6, 2006.

MY BROTHER THE MOBSTER

The cold-blooded execution is considered the last of the gangland murders that gripped Melbourne for eight years.

The Purana taskforce has responsibility for the case along with two other unsolved shootings: the murders of Alphonse Gangitano in 1998 and Graham “The Munster’’ Kinniburgh in 2003.

Declining an interview, Victoria Police said merely: “The investigation into the murder of Mario Condello remains unsolved.

“Unsolved homicide investigations always remain open, and we urge anyone with information in relation to the murder of Mario Condello to contact CrimeStoppers ... ’’

The Purana taskforce was successful in solving many gangland killings in which those involved co-operated with police in return for lighter sentences.

But those who knew about the gunning down of “Carlton Crew’’ members proved impenetrable.

Investigators followed several competing theories surrounding the cases involving all three murders.

In Condello’s case, the “money man’’ had been upsetting the underworld, including mafia figure Frank Madafferi and close friend Mick Gatto.

It was considered he had recently gone “soft’’ and had turned to God.

Underworld killer Rod Collins was identified as the man suspected of having pulled the trigger, but who paid for the hit remains unknown.

Condello’s brother, Enzo, is writing a book about his life with his gangster brother.

Mr Condello told the Herald Sun that in their last conversation, just before the murder, he had spoken to his brother about whether his life was in danger.

The pair spoke about possible threats that might exist but agreed that the gangland war appeared over.

“Mario never told me he was ever in danger,” he said.

“But when he got out of jail a couple of months before his murder, he asked me, ‘Do you think I’m in danger?’.’’

Meeting in the kitchen of the family home, Enzo and his infamous brother agreed that with Carl Williams behind bars, the threat appeared to have been thwarted.

“I don’t know who was behind it,’’ Mr Condello said of his brother’s murder. “If I knew, I would have spoken to the police nine years ago.

“I only know the conventional theories the police have put out.’’

Mario Condello died as a disbarred lawyer who was connected to various underworld figures and to the mafia.

READ MORE: MY BROTHER THE MOBSTER

Anyone with information about his murder is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.