Melbourne Hungarian community could be key to solving 21 year old cold case
A savage cold case murder could be solved with the assistance of Melbourne’s Hungarian community according to police, who are appealing for information in the brutal bashing of 72-year-old Irma Palasics in her home more than two decades ago.
Police & Courts
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Police are appealing for information within Melbourne’s Hungarian community about a savage murder more than two decades old.
Elderly woman Irma Palasics, 72, was savagely killed on November 6 in 1999 when two men forced their way into her home about 9.30pm.
She and her husband Gregor were bound and savagely beaten before the men ransacked their home, stealing cash and jewellery.
Friday marks the 21st anniversary of the horrific crime which took place in the ACT suburb of McKellar.
A $500,000 reward remains in place for information that leads to a successful prosecution.
After the offenders left, Mr Palasics was able to free himself and phone police but Mrs Palasics died at the scene.
Detective Sergeant Adam Rhynehart said police now believe someone within Melbourne’s Hungarian community has vital information about the alleged offenders.
“If you are a member of the Melbourne Hungarian community and have even the smallest piece of information that could assist in the ongoing investigation into the death of Irma Palasics we want to hear from you,” Detective Sergeant Adam Rhynehart said.
“Your information could be what is needed to bring a person before the courts and provide the Palasics’ family the answers they’ve been searching for more than two decades.
Irma’s grandson John Mikita said not knowing what happened that night brought incredible pain to the whole family.
“It is quite possible one of the most traumatic parts of the unknown sequence of events that took place that night, did she suffer or was it quick,” Mr Mikita said.
“The murderers that night not only robbed my grandparent’s home and stole their lives, they robbed me of my innocence, they robbed me of my future. They tore a hole in my life that will never heal.
“Twenty-one years on we still seek answers from the community as to who may have done these horrendous things to two innocent pensioners.”
Police are urging anyone who has any information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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