Police offer $100k reward to find person who attacked bookshop owner Jill Brookes

A $100,000 reward has been offered as police step up the hunt for a man who brutally bashed a bookstore owner, leaving her with life-changing injuries.

Jill Brookes was attacked inside her bookstore in July 2012.

A $100,000 reward has been offered as police step up the hunt for a man who brutally bashed a bookstore owner, leaving her with horrific life-changing injuries almost 18 months ago.

Altona bookshop owner Jill Brookes has struggled to communicate even a few words since she was found unconscious by a fellow trader inside her Harrington Square second-hand book shop around 5pm on July 20, 2012.

The then 61-year-old was not expected to survive and was rushed to The Alfred hospital.

One and a half years later, she has shown little improvement - and police are no closer to arresting her attacker.

Speaking to the Herald Sun on the one-year anniversary of her brutal bashing last year, her husband, Michael Overend, fought back tears as he described how the attack had destroyed their lives.

"She is very badly damaged," he said. "She can't communicate and you can see the frustration in her face.

"I thought we would live out our life together when we retired. That's not going to happen now.

"I will never have my wife back home with me. She will always be in an institution of some kind. Best I have is visits to her and seeing her slowly deteriorate."

Hobsons Bay Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Matt Noonan hoped the six-figure reward would entice someone to reveal new information to give Jill and her family justice.

"The important thing is that if you know something then say something," he said. "It might seem like a small or insignificant detail but it could make a big difference in this case."

Det-Sen-Constable Noonan also renewed calls for a man who last year delivered a cryptic letter to the Altona North police station about the incident to contact them again.

The letter, dropped at the station in May, contained a newspaper clipping about the assault along with a note written with letters cut from the paper.

Investigators believe the writer holds key details vital to solving the case and making a conviction.

"This has been an incredibly challenging time for Jill and her family," Det-Sen-Constable Noonan said. "She sustained life-threatening injuries and the reality is that she's incredibly lucky to still be with us.

"We've been working hard over the past 18 months to try and identify who is responsible and bring about some justice for the Brookes family.

"The person who dropped the letter into the police station had some information that makes us believe he has the key to identifying and locating the offender, and we are appealing for him to make contact with police again."

In November, detectives released details of a man they believed could assist with their inquiries, including information regarding a truck seen in the area around the time of the assault.

The man was described as being caucasian in appearance with a medium build, and was believed to be wearing full khaki overalls and a dark, checked flannel shirt.

Anyone who may have information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au

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