$1m reward to catch gunman who killed teen Thomas Cooper at Ricketts Point lovers’ lane
There is new hope a $1 million reward will lead to an arrest over one of Melbourne’s oldest and coldest unsolved murders.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There is new hope a $1 million reward being revealed on Tuesday will lead to an arrest over one of Victoria’s oldest and coldest unsolved murders.
Apprentice plumber Thomas Cooper, 18, died behind the steering wheel of his car as he frantically tried to drive away from the killer in the Ricketts Point carpark at Beaumaris on August 18, 1980.
His girlfriend, 16 at the time, was sitting next to him in what was a well-known lovers’ lane when the gunman opened fire.
Desperate to evade their attacker, she steered the car from the passenger seat with her left hand while leaning over to use her right hand to press the leg of the dead Mr Cooper on the accelerator.
Four decades later, the killer remains at large, though police are optimistic the $1 million bounty will see the murderer caught.
Mr Cooper’s girlfriend - who we will call Maree because her name remains suppressed by the Coroner – recently died without seeing justice done.
Maree wrote to Victoria Police in 2016 pleading for the force to post a $1 million reward to help solve the case.
Her sister yesterday told the Herald Sun she wrote the letter because she believed that huge amount of money would entice those who know who did it to dob in the murderer.
“She would be thrilled the force has now issued the reward,” Maree’s sister said.
“It is such a shame she didn’t live to see it.
“She never got over the trauma of seeing Thomas killed and nearly being murdered herself.
“As the 40th anniversary was approaching it brought it all back to her. She remained incredibly angry to the end that the gunman was never caught.”
While there have been a few suspects over the years, Victoria Police homicide squad boss Dean Thomas yesterday stressed detectives were keeping an open mind about who pulled the trigger.
Detective Inspector Thomas told the Herald Sun the motivation for the murder remained unclear.
“There are a number of possibilities, including that the shooting was sexually motivated and the girl in the car may have been the target,” he said yesterday.
“We know that many couples regularly went to this location so the offender may have been stalking the area in the lead up to the shooting.
“Police have spoken to a number of people over the years in relation to Thomas’ murder, however we are absolutely keeping an open mind with regards to this case.
“There is no one answer to this that we’re focusing on.
“The one thing we do know is that someone out there will know who is responsible for shooting Thomas and we’re hopeful that after four decades, this person is ready to come forward and assist us with bringing his family some justice.”
At the time of Thomas’ 1980 murder, police released a digital composite image of a man they wished to speak to in relation to the incident. It was based on the description Mr Cooper’s girlfriend gave of the gunman.
This image has been forensically updated and aged to show what this man might look like in 2020.
Police are also considering whether the offender wore a hat on the night as a disguise.
Detective Inspector Thomas said detectives are keen to hear from anyone who can provide information regarding the identity of the man shown in those images.
“I want people to consider whether these digital images show a person they know or can identify for us,” he said.
“That person may not necessarily be from the Beaumaris or Ricketts Point area and they may not necessarily have regularly worn a hat.
“We’re hopeful that there is someone out there who can tell us who this person is or has other information about the murder.
“Thomas’ family have had to go 40 years without the answer to who would want to kill their son and brother.
“As we always say, a lot can change over the years and hopefully this reward and the passage of time will encourage someone to come forward and give his family some peace.”
A reward of up to $1 million will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder.
In appropriate cases, the Director of Public Prosecutions may consider, according to established guidelines, the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in this matter.
Anyone with information about the murder of Thomas Cooper should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report online through www.crimestoppers.com.au
READ MORE