Mates silent over fate of missing greengrocer Rosario “Ross” Pezzano as new details emerge
ASSOCIATES of a greengrocer believed to have been murdered 15 years ago could hold the key to solving the case but have refused to help police.
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ASSOCIATES of a greengrocer believed to have been murdered 15 years ago could hold the key to solving the case but have refused to help police.
New details have emerged in the disappearance of Rosario “Ross” Pezzano, including the names of those he was due to meet on the night he went missing in September 2001.
State Coroner Judge Sara Hinchey has declared Mr Pezzano most likely the victim of homicide although his body has never been found.
“Due to Mr Pezzano’s associates not co-operating with the Victoria Police’s investigation, Mr Pezzano’s activities leading up to his disappearance were unable to be fully explored,” Judge Hinchey said in her findings, released on Thursday.
On September 24, 2001, Mr Pezzano, 27, had worked with his mother, Mary Pezzano, at his Burnt Bridge Fruit Supplies in Croydon.
At 7pm he returned with his father, Rocco Pezzano, to the family home on the Maroondah Hwy in North Croydon for a quick dinner.
At 7.15pm he rushed out, not telling his parents where he was going, only that would be back in a couple of hours.
Judge Hinchey said Mr Pezzano was due at an 8pm meeting at Bourke St bar The Gap, which he was planning to buy with two associates — Michael Laverde and Mark Diaco.
Others due at the bar included some tradesmen, the bar’s owners, Mr Pezzano’s cousin, Frank Lucisano, and an associate, Stan Margilano.
Phone records show that at 7.15pm he spoke to Mr Lucisano, who said Mr Pezzano told him he was getting petrol in Ringwood.
At 7.24pm Mr Pezzano spoke to Mr Margilano about transport to the meeting, agreeing to travel separately.
He did not make the meeting and his white 1987 Ford ute, its rear driver-side vent window smashed, was found parked behind San Marino’s restaurant in Ringwood.
A tearful Mary Pezzano told the Herald Sun she missed her “beautiful boy” every second of every day.