Police probe suspect in murder of celebrity chef Willi Koeppen
REVEALED: A NEW suspect has emerged in a cold case probe into the murder of Australia's first celebrity chef in 1976.
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A NEW suspect has emerged in a cold case probe into the mystery murder of Australia's first celebrity chef.
Police are understood to have made significant progress in a rejuvenated probe into the 1976 disappearance and suspected killing of wealthy Melbourne chef Willi Koeppen, owner of The Cuckoo restaurant in Olinda.
The Koeppen case is one now deemed solvable under a review of missing persons cases conducted by the Homicide squad.
Those among the last to see Mr Koeppen, his associates and family are being re-interviewed.
Family of Willi Koeppen want mystery case reviewed
Confessed killer Mark "Chopper" Read has been questioned about what a notorious killer told him in jail.
Six prostitutes who turned up at the restaurant - a Melbourne dining institution - the day after the disappearance are also being sought by investigators.
One of the state's most notorious criminals, Alex Tsakmakis, has not been cleared of involvement.
The murder was for decades thought to have been the work of Tsakmakis, a convicted killer with a history of drug dealing and standover activities.
Read has for years maintained Tsakmakis killed Mr Koeppen and officially told investigators what he knew this year.
He said Tsakmakis confessed when they were doing time together in Pentridge Prison.
"I just told them (detectives) what Tsakmakis told me," Read said.
"That he used to play cards with a bloke who got killed. Then one day he killed a bloke over an argument about gambling.
"Yeah, it was Koeppen. He just said he killed the bloke from The Cuckoo."
Investigators have now identified a new suspect, though it is unclear whether that person had any link to Tsakmakis, who was murdered in prison by Russell St bomber Craig Minogue.
Six prostitutes arrived at the restaurant the day after Mr Koeppen's disappearance.
Police are also believed to be working to track down the sex workers to see what fresh light they can shed on the case.
Mr Koeppen's son Andrei said he believed there was a link between the prostitutes' arrival and his father's death.
"I can't help thinking that there's some connection there," he told the Sunday Herald Sun.
Mr Koeppen spent his final hours before disappearing at a local surgery drinking heavily with a doctor.
He received a phone call at the surgery at 3.45am and left immediately to return to The Cuckoo.
A cleaner en route to an early shift at the restaurant said she saw a white panel van and a large American-style sedan travelling in the opposite direction at about 4.30am.
The father of three's Kombi van was found at 5.15am in the restaurant's carpark.
Its sliding doors were open and the keys were in the ignition.
There was a later alleged sighting of him at Melbourne Airport, adding fuel to the theory he disappeared of his own accord, but police are convinced he met foul play.
Victoria Police said yesterday the investigation was "ongoing" and a brief would be prepared for the coroner.
Anyone with information on the Koeppen case can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au
- Anthony Dowsley
