$1m reward to solve murder of Melbourne mum Maria James
More than four decades after Maria James was brutally murdered in her Thornbury bookshop, police have launched a $1m reward in the hope it will finally unmask her killer.
Police & Courts
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The sons of a “devoted and wonderful” mother stabbed to death inside her own bookstore say someone holds crucial information that could unmask their mother’s killer.
Maria James was killed at the High St address in Thornbury, on June 17 1980.
She lived with her two sons, Mark and Adam James, at the property where she was killed, which also functioned as a second hand bookstore.
The pair were aged just 14 and 11 years old respectively when the mystery killer stabbed Ms James 68 times before her ex-husband John James found her on the floor.
Ahead of the 44th anniversary of his mother’s violent murder, Ms James’ younger son Adam, who lives with cerebral palsy, became emotional and wiped away tears as he recalled the harrowing experience of losing their mother at such young ages.
Mark remembered their mother as a “kind and gentle” woman who was protective of her sons.
“My brother is handicapped and he’s had to grow up without his mum,” he said.
“Our mum was murdered in a ritualistic and very violent way.
“It’s been just so hard for us, (for) my brother Adam to cope with that, and we just want justice for our mum.”
Mark said his mother loved cooking and was loved by friends and the community.
“Our mum was the greatest cook ever … and she was a wonderful person,” he said.
“She didn’t deserve to die in this terrible, violent way.”
Mark said he remained convinced his mother was murdered after she had reported alleged sexual abuse Adam had suffered at the hands of the Catholic Church.
“We believe people have stayed quiet to protect the Catholic Church, but by speaking up now, you’re doing the right thing and you’ll be rewarded and you’re doing what God would want you to do.”
Ms James’ death has been the subject of two inquests, and in 2022 Coroner Caitlin English said two suspects, Catholic priest Anthony Bongiorno and Peter Keogh, both of whom are dead, remained persons of interest.
Two separate eye witnesses described a man running away from the crime scene soon after Ms James had been located.
This man has never been identified and police continue to appeal for information in relation to the mystery identity.
Mark begged anyone with information about the killer’s identity to come forward so he and his brother could receive closure.
“This has plagued us for 44 years. We just want to be able to close it off and get an answer, for the police to be able to name the killer would mean so much for us,” he said.
“Life just stops and it never stops affecting you. Everyone loses their parents, but you don’t want to lose your parents, your mum in this way.
“I really believe that there can be people out there who might just have one little piece of that jigsaw puzzle, one tiny little piece that they might not think is so important, but it could be enough for the police to be able to solve the case and name the killer.
“It would finally bring us relief, an end to our torment.”
Despite a significant investigation over the past four decades, no one has been charged with Ms James’ death.
Victoria Police on Friday morning announced a $1m reward for new information in relation to the death. A reward of $50,000 was previously offered in 1980.
Detective Inspector Dean Thomas from the Homicide Squad said those persons of interest remained key suspects in Ms James’ murder because investigators could not rule them out, but her killer could be someone who has so far flown under the radar of detectives or has since died.
“Police remain very determined, as ever, to solve this case,” Mr Thomas said.
“While a significant amount of time has passed, there are still people out there who we believe have information that could lead to identifying the person or people responsible for Maria’s death.
“We have a lady, a mother, who is in her own home. She’s working in her own business that is part of that home, she should feel safe, and she should have been safe.”
On the morning of her murder, she was seen by a number of witnesses in and around the property.
She then called her ex-husband John about 11.55am and left a message asking him to call her back.
She did not say why she wished to speak with him, but she did say somebody was in the shop.
A short time later John returned her call and after she answered, Ms James asked him to “hold on” and was then overheard in conversation with someone else.
Although John couldn’t clearly hear the conversation, it was apparent something was wrong, and when Ms James didn’t return his call, he left work and went to check on her.
He arrived at the bookshop shortly after midday to find the front and back doors locked, but with the “open” sign still on display.
When he forced his way inside, he found Ms James in her bedroom fatally injured with a large number of stab wounds.
She had sustained significant injuries to her head and face, and her hands had been bound.
Soon after locating Ms James, John discovered the front door of the shop had since been unlocked, which homicide detectives believe points to her killers being inside the property when he arrived.
Anyone with information about her death can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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