Man charged over 1984 murder of Bernie Williams

Police are one step closer to solving the 1984 murder of a casanova footy player, but are still on the hunt for another suspect.

VFA footballer Bernie Williams was found murdered near Gisborne on March 3, 1984.

Police have made a major breakthrough in the 1984 execution-style murder of ladies’ man and footy player Bernie Williams.

Homicide Squad detectives on Monday charged Peter Brown, 62, with the bushland murder of Mr Williams in Bullengarook, west of Gisborne, nearly 40 years ago.

Mr Williams, then aged 25, had been shot multiple times and his body found tied up on a bush track near Hobbs Rd about 3pm on March 3, 1984.

He was in the “prime of his life”, with a young daughter and an impressive on-field footy reputation.

Mr Brown attended court via video link from Barwon Prison.

Wearing prison greens, Mr Brown was seen twiddling his thumbs as he listened in to the court proceedings.

His lawyer, Barnaby Johnston, told the court he had no custody management issues.

The case will return to court for a committal mention on June 14.

However, cold case detectives believe others were involved in Mr Williams’ death.

The young dad was a renowned ladies’ man known for his “physical capabilities” especially within the Melton Football Club community.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Scarlett said he had been involved in numerous “relationship disputes” at the time of his death, and that these disputes remained an “active avenue of inquiry” in the investigation.

The man was killed in Bullengarook, nearly four decades ago.

“We believe the person who has been charged did not act alone and that it’s likely more than one person was involved, or at least present, when Bernie was killed,” he said.

“There may be people in the Melton area who were living there in 1984 who have further knowledge about Bernie’s death, or they may now be living elsewhere in Victoria or interstate given the length of time that has passed.

“We are also very keen to speak to anyone who has any information about the motive for Bernie’s death.”

Sergeant Scarlett said the manner in which Mr WIlliams was restrained would have required at least two people.

“It was nothing short of an execution-style murder,” he said.

“Because Bernie was well known as being physically strong, we believe that the manner in which he was found as being restrained (would have involved) two or more persons.

“In the final moments of Bernie’s life, it would be reasonable to assume that, at some point, Bernie would have realised he was in serious trouble and would have tried to defend himself given the opportunity.”

A police officer inspects a car belonging to Bernie Williams after his death.

One of the suspects in Mr Williams’ death reportedly included a serving policeman.

However, Sergeant Scarlett on Monday confirmed the accused killer was not a former member of Victoria Police.

The man is currently in custody on unrelated matters and had been interviewed as part of the murder inquiry years ago.

Sergeant Scarlett said hundreds of people were spoken to over the past four decades leading to today’s breakthrough.

“We have to keep an open mind on motive,” he said.

In 2017, a $1m reward was announced for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for his murder.

“Almost four decades on, his family are still searching for answers as to why their much loved son and brother were killed,” Sergeant Scarlett said.

“The $1m reward remains on offer and we are hopeful that today’s update leads to further breakthroughs in this case.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.