Murdered woman’s boyfriend urged to come forward to police

Tributes for a young Tasmanian mother found dead in Melbourne this week have poured in via social media as police ask the public for help to find her boyfriend, a Barbaro crime family member.

Victoria Police Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Tim Day addresses the media during a press conference in Melbourne, Thursday, May 7, 2020. The Homicide squad is appealing for Ricardo Barbaro to hand himself into police for questioning following the death of a woman in South Melbourne. (AAP Image/James Ross)

FAMILY and loved ones of a young Tasmanian mother found dead in her Melbourne home have taken to social media to speak of their grief as police launched a nationwide search for her boyfriend.

The body of Ellie Price, a “beautiful girl” with a “heart of gold”, was found in her South Melbourne apartment on Monday afternoon.

Victoria Police, in a live broadcast on Thursday, appealed to the public to come forward with any information they had on Ricardo Barbaro, who they wish to speak to in relation to Ms Price’s death.

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The 33-year-old and Ms Price have been in a relationship since October last year.

Ms Price, 26, suffered a “significant assault” in “tragic circumstances”, detective inspector Tim Day said.

A supplied image of Ricardo ‘Rick’ Barbaro. They are also searching for the victim’s vehicle, a white 2017 E350 Mercedes sedan with pink numberplates 22ZERO, which was missing from her property. (AAP Image/Supplied by Victoria Police)

He said if anyone knew of Mr Barbaro’s whereabouts, they should speak to police now or contact them via Crime Stoppers.

“If you’re listening, Ricardo, we need to speak to you about the circumstances regarding Eliie’s death. This is not going to go away. This is an opportunity for you to come forward. You may as well come forward right now,” he said.

Det Insp Day also released details about Mr Barbaro’s white 2009 Toyota Hiace van and Ms Price’s 2017 E 350 Mercedes sedan with pink number plates, which was missing from her property.

Murdered Tasmanian mum Ellie Price. Photo: Facebook

Ms Price’s young son lives in Tasmania with his grandmother Tracey Gagnell, who took to Facebook to express her grief.

“She was my baby. I am going to miss her,” she said.

Ms Price’s grandmother Sherry Bradford also described her pain at losing her “Ellbell”.

“My beautiful granddaughter (was) taken too soon will miss ellbell so much,” she said.

A family friend said the news was “such a shock”.

“ … still have memories of her riding her ponies when she was little and coming to the racing stables with me, and yelling at Penny as she could never catch her. Thinking of you all. Such a beautiful girl,” the woman said.

Ms Price’s body was found on the 16th anniversary of the murder of Athol Tollard, her childhood father figure.

The elderly pensioner was murdered by three men on May 4, 2004 at his isolated Rokeby home on Droughty Point Rd, after they broke in to rob him at gunpoint.

Mr Tollard was beaten and shot at least twice before his house was burned down to try to hide the crime.

Originally published as Murdered woman’s boyfriend urged to come forward to police