Fugitive pursued by Melbourne gangland figures after fleeing Australia

A murder suspect who ripped off high-level drug traffickers was hotly pursued by underworld heavies, with a formidable player going on a global quest for revenge.

The execution-style cold case lead to an international gangland manhunt.

A cold case double murder suspect was pursued by Melbourne gangland figures after leaving Australia.

Police were told fugitive businessman Nihal York – investigated over the execution-style killings of a couple with alleged sex trade links – had ripped off a high-level drug trafficker in the period before he got out of Australia.

The Sri Lankan-born mystery man has come under scrutiny over the murders of his friends Steve Gulyas, 49, and Tina Nhonthachith, 47, at their Wildwood Rd, Sunbury, home in October, 2003.

Both were shot three times in the head at the property, known as Willowbank Estate.

York, who was pictured at their funerals, is believed to have left his wife and children behind in Australia in 2006.

Funeral for Steve Gulyas and Tina Nhonthachith.

Police were later told he walked away from a trail of rip-off victims, including influential underworld figures.

At one stage, a formidable gangland player left for Sri Lanka to find and kill York.

Another man, a high-level drug dealer with associated links to major crime identities, had bought a prestige car from him.

The vehicle was later seized by police and its new owner was unable to get it back, generating more rancour.

Hungarian-born Mr Gulyas owned a business called The Truck Man, which bought and fixed light commercial vehicles for resale.

Police were later to learn he may have been connected to high-profile criminals and that he flaunted unexplained wealth, including through big gambling at casinos.

Mr Gulyas was the subject of investigations by Victoria Police, the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Federal Police.

He and Thai-born Ms Nhonthachith both had an interest in a company called Partner Search Australia, an introduction agency.

There were suspicions the company provided prostitutes and ripped off clients through fake introductions.

Tina and Steve were shot multiple times in the head with different guns. Picture: Facebook

Police believe the couple was most likely murdered by someone they knew.

Mr Gulyas had become increasingly concerned for his safety and had escalated security at Wildwood Rd before the killer struck.

Mr York, who worked as a salesman for Mr Gulyas, said in a police statement that he had been at a barbecue hosted by his boss in the hours before the Wildwood Rd slayings.

He told detectives he left the gathering with his “brother’’ but returned to discuss a business deal and left before they were murdered.

Detectives later spoke with a Fijian witness who worked as a mechanic for Mr Gulyas’ car business, who told them he took two security dogs from the Sunbury property on the day of their murders.

Homicide detectives believed York arranged for him to take the dogs.

Police found Sri Lankan-born Nihal York to be a ‘convincing conman’.

York and an Asian doctor bought the sprawling property owned by Mr Gulyas and his partner after their deaths and sold it for about $1.2 million – more than tripling their money.

It’s believed York then took off with the entire windfall.

Police found he was a convincing conman, especially in the property market.

It was estimated he amassed a $20 million fortune, helping build his reputation by claiming associations with powerful people.

In one scam, York won a target’s confidence by superimposing his picture to give the impression he was posing with former Prime Minister John Howard.

The case remains the subject of a $200,000 reward.

“Any new information provided to police on this matter will be thoroughly investigated” a spokeswoman said.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers of 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppers.com.au