New bid launched to solve Nanette Ellis 1984 murder
Nanette Ellis was brutally killed inside her own home 40 years ago, with police now launching a new bid to solve one of the state’s biggest mysteries.
Police & Courts
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A fresh bid to solve the horrific 1984 stabbing murder of Boronia mum Nanette Ellis will be launched on Saturday.
Despite the passage of four decades, homicide squad investigators believe they can still bring justice to the Ellis family.
She was found in a pool of blood by her 16-year-old son Greg on the back porch of their Manuka Drive home.
The 41-year-old single mother had been living in fear in the period before she died.
Rocks had been thrown at her car for three days as she drove to work in the period before the murder.
Because other cars were also hit, investigators are unable to say whether this was directed specifically at Ms Ellis.
But there were subsequent vandalism attacks at home on her yellow 1982 Toyota Corolla in which paint was tipped over the vehicle, its tyres were slashed and the aerial and number plates removed.
Ms Ellis had been scared enough to have a gun and a rounders bat at her front door to be ready for trouble.
On the day of February 10, she went to work as usual in her job as an advertising manager at a local newspaper and had made plans for dinner that evening with colleagues.
A witness saw her arrive home at Manuka Drive in the Corolla at 5.15pm.
Ms Ellis was fatally stabbed some time after walking into the house.
Greg, who had been at a neighbour’s house watching TV, made the horrific discovery at 6pm.
Homicide squad detectives have followed up hundreds of pieces of information in the past four decades but have been unable to charge the killer or killers.
A $500,000 reward remains in place for anyone able to help police solve the crime.
A statement from the Ms Ellis’ family said she was a caring mother, daughter, sister and aunt who would have proved a wonderful grandmother in time.
The statement said she lived a simple and honest life which revolved around her work, raising two sons and painting.
“To this day we remain tormented at the thought of what she endured,” the family said.
“The sequence of events leading up to the day she died, and the brutality of her last moments. Had she died from illness, she would have been surrounded by the care and affection of others. If she had died of an accident, someone would have been there to help and support.
“But there is no comfort to be had, there is no consoling thought in the way she died, attacked brutally in the sanctity of her own home, what should have been
the safest of havens. Our lives have gone on but have never been the same again since Nanette’s death, a sense of enduring loss and sadness continue to this day, exacerbated by not knowing who was responsible, and why Nanette was targeted.”
The statement said someone knew who had killed Ms Ellis and could not have carried such an appalling secret without telling someone.
“We believe someone must know who murdered Nanette, and we ask anyone with information to come forward in confidence and share this information with the police. We would also appeal to the person responsible, to find it in their conscience to do the right thing and hand themselves in.”
Detective Inspector Dean Thomas of the homicide squad said Ms Ellis was a normal mum working a job she enjoyed and lived a quiet life.
“She was well liked by all those who knew her and had no criminal associations or anything that would potentially lead to her being killed in such a violent manner,” Insp. Thomas said.
“Forty years is an incredibly long time for her family to go without answers. Her sons have grown up without their mum and she never got to see them with families of their own. We still haven’t given up hope.
“While a significant amount of time has passed, there are potentially still people out there who know why Nanette was killed and who was responsible.
“The time to come forward is now.”
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppers.com.au
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