Victoria Police are offering up to $1 million for information into Cindy Crossthwaite’s murder

DETECTIVES believe more than one person is behind the “brutal” 2007 murder of Melbourne mother Cindy Crossthwaite, as police offer a $1 million reward to solve the cold case mystery.

A supplied image obtained on October 6, 2017 of murdered Melton woman Cindy Crossthwaite. Picture supplied by AAP

A MILLION dollar reward is on offer for information about the murder and abduction of a Melbourne mother a decade ago.

Victoria Police today announced the reward for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of a person(s) involved in the Cindy Crossthwaite’s death.

The mother of three was found dead, by her father, in her Andrew St home on June 20, 2007 after 4pm.

Her father went to her house to check on her after she didn’t pick up her two eldest children, then 10-year-old Jesmine and eight-year-old Nicolas, from their Melton South school.

Police are offering a $1 million reward for information about the murder of Cindy Crossthwaite. Picture: AAP

Million dollar lure to crack murder cases

Ms Crossthwaite’s youngest child Jonas, then 15-month-old, was home at the time of the murder.

She was last seen dropping off Jesmine and Nicholas at school about 9am.

An autopsy later revealed the 41-year-old died of head injuries.

The reward comes after the Homicide Squad investigators gained new information from the public in June after a fresh appeal.

Jesmine Crossthwaite's mother Cindy was murdered 10 years ago. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Detectives investigating Ms Crossthwaite’s murder believe more than one person was behind the “brutal” killing.

Two of her children, alongside her father, spoke out about their grief today as they called for the people behind the murder to come forward.

“We lost everything that day,” said daughter Jesmine, now aged 20.

“I just want to know who did it.

“Who? And why did it happen?”

Nicholas, 18, said it was not fair his little brother Jonas, just 15 months old at the time of the death, had been growing up without knowing his mum.

“We tell him what kind of person she was, we show him photos,” he said.

“He should have had a mother in the first place.”

They said their mum was much-loved and they could not understand why anyone would want to hurt her.

“She loved us so much ... we were everything to her,” Jesmine said.

“She was the best mum anyone could ask for. Everyone loved her.”

Nicholas said he hoped those behind the death “cop the karma” and know the pain that the family had endured.

Phil Crossthwaite said he would never forget finding his daughter’s body and the sight of baby Jonas, who had been left alone on his mum’s bed.

Mr Crossthwaite said the people who hurt his daughter were “animals”.

“I think animals have more respect for their own kind,” he said.

Detective Inspector Mick Hughes said now was the time for anyone connected to the crime to come forward.

Someone linked to the case who offered information to help put those responsible behind bars, could be offered indemnity.

“We’re obviously after the main offenders,” he said.

“We’re as confident as we can be that we’ll get a result.”

Jesmine Crossthwaite's mother Cindy was murdered 10 years ago. Picture: Mark Stewart

One person told police more than one person was involved in her murder, and she may have been stalked in the weeks leading up to her death.

Detectives believe a number of people may have a more intimate knowledge of the murder, and for those same people to contact police again.

Homicide squad detective inspector Michael Hughes said it was “absolutely heartbreaking” her family did not have answers for a decade,

“Her children have grown up without their mother and her family has lost their beloved daughter and sister,” Detective Insp Hughes said.

“Put yourself in her family’s place — how difficult this has been for them for so many years.

“I know we always say that circumstances and people change, and as times goes past there might be people in the community who feel they are now able to come forward and tell us what they know about Cindy’s death.”

He said the case had remained open since her death in 2007 and hoped the reward will bring more information to light to solve the crime.

The Chief Commissioner of Police will pay the reward at his discretion.

The Department of Public Prosecutions may also consider giving indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the offender(s)

Anyone with information should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.