Original investigator in Maria James murder case doesn’t believe Anthony Bongiorno was her killer

An original investigator in the Maria James murder case says he does not believe Catholic priest Anthony Bongiorno was her killer, as police offer a $1m reward to help solve the chilling case.

An original investigator in the Maria James murder case says he does not believe Catholic priest Anthony Bongiorno was her killer.

Victoria Police this week announced a $1 million reward to help solve the brutal 1980 knife killing of Mrs James in a bedroom at the back of her Thornbury book store where she lived.

Former Victoria Police homicide squad member Rowland Legg, a detective senior constable at the time, said he did not know who was responsible but he did not believe it was Fr Bongiorno.

One of the key elements of the case against Fr Bongiorno – which emerged decades later – is the allegation that he abused Mrs James’ son Adam and she was to confront him about it the day she died, on June 17.

Father Anthony Bongiorno has been a key suspect in the case.

But Mr Legg said he believed it was most likely Mrs James would have informed her former husband John what had allegedly happened to their boy before confronting the priest.

Although separated, Maria and John James remained close and had such a deep interest in their children’s welfare that it was important information she would have shared immediately.

Other evidence suggested it was unlikely Fr Bongiorno was responsible, Mr Legg said.

Mr James received an alarming call from his wife about 11.55am and rushed to the shop where he found the front door locked but the “open” sign still up.

A curtain between the shop and the residence was seen moving, as though someone might have been looking out.

Thornbury bookshop murder victim Maria James and her son Adam at the Grampians in 1980.

It is likely the killer was still inside and rushed out the front door as Mr James went to the rear to get in.

Minutes later, he found the front door unlocked.

Mr Legg, who later became a crew-leading homicide squad senior sergeant, said a most important aspect was a man who sprinted across High St at the time, narrowly avoiding being run over by a passing car whose driver slammed on the brakes to avoid a collision.

He said that person was quite possibly the killer and his description did not match that of Fr Bongiorno, but could have been Peter Keogh, who later fatally stabbed a woman.

“We were confident he (whoever ran across the road) was the killer. That wasn’t Bongiorno,” Mr Legg said.

Mr Legg said he would have had no problem nominating Fr Bongiorno, if he thought he was the killer.

A homicide squad detective outside the Thornbury bookshop where owner Maria James was murdered in 1980.

He said the priest was an obnoxious man who argued fiercely with investigators about whether he should reveal anything a parishioner said in confession which may help the inquiry.

One senior officer even resorted to quoting scripture during a heated discussion with the priest at the scene days later.

Mr Legg said detectives were unaware at the time of any suggestion Fr Bongiorno had interfered with Adam James.

Keogh – who lived in the same area as Mrs James – would in 1987 stab to death Vicki Cleary outside the kindergarten where she worked.

It was later alleged that the woman-hating Keogh, who had been in a relationship with Ms Cleary, told her; “I’ll do the same thing to you as the bookshop woman.”

“Keogh would still be a possibility,” Mr Legg said.

Mr Legg said he could recall no suggestion Keogh knew Mrs James.

Peter Keogh stabbed Vicki Cleary to death in 1987.

The detective recalled questioning at length a real estate agent who had been in an affair with Mrs James.

He said the agent and a colleague had travelled to the outer northeastern suburbs on the morning of the murder and that the alibi stuck under rigorous scrutiny.

The agents’ recollection was that they returned to Thornbury to find police at the scene.

Both independently recalled the most minor details of their house visit, including how the agent wiped away a speck of bird poo which had dropped on his car when they returned to it.

In 2022, Coroner Caitlin English said Fr Bongiorno and Keogh remained persons of interest.

Mr Legg said it was still possible that whoever stabbed Mrs James 68 times and left her to die on the bedroom floor was someone completely unknown to investigators.

He said the crime scene indicated a violent, frenzied and repetitive attack on a defenceless woman.

“We all live in hope – past and present investigators – there will be resolution and that this reward will assist,” Mr Legg said.

Detective Insp. Dean Thomas this week said police remained determined to solve the case.

“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,” he said.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au.