Reward of $1 million offered for help solving 2013 murder of St Kilda woman Tracey Connelly

A major breakthrough in the 2013 cold case murder of St Kilda woman Tracey Connelly is close as police lean on a key piece of evidence.

DNA would normally be enough to catch a killer, but homicide detectives are hoping a $1 million sweetener will help solve the cold-case murder of a Melbourne sex worker.

Tracey Connelly, 40, was found dead by her partner Tony Melissovas in her Ford van at St Kilda just before 3pm on July 21, 2013.

She had been brutally stabbed by her attacker and died from upper body and facial wounds.

A DNA sample, palm and finger prints were taken from the crime scene and police believe they belong to her killer and hope the reward will motivate someone to provide vital information.

Murdered Melbourne sex worker Tracey Connelly. Homicide detectives are hoping a long-held DNA sample and a $1 million reward will help solve her 2013 murder. Picture: Victorian Police/AAP

Homicide Detective Inspector Tim Day on Tuesday pleaded with the community to put any preconceived ideas about sex workers aside.

“Who deserves to be slain in a van on a cold, dark winter’s night? Nobody,” he told reporters.

“Think about Tracey as a human being, deserving of justice like anyone else.” Despite numerous public appeals for information over the past six years, no one has been charged over her death.

About 1500 people gave a DNA sample to police during the investigation, including registered sex offenders, people with a history of violence, and others who were in St Kilda at the time.

The investigation has stretched interstate and overseas.

Detective Insp Day said there were still more than 100 persons of interest yet to give a DNA sample and it’s just a matter of time until the case is solved.

Singer Paul Kelly attended a vigil for Tracey Connelly one year after her death.

“This sample is going to remain in our system, while DNA technology only gets better and better with each passing month.”

Unreleased CCTV of Ms Connelly’s last hours show her entering the van with an unknown man. He is later seen leaving the van alone.

“The release of the $1 million reward may be just the catalyst, for someone who has heard something, seen something, or even feels something to call Crime Stoppers,” Det Insp Day said.

At the time of her death, Ms Connelly was estranged from her family. Her partner, Mr Melissovas, has since died.

A reward of up to $1 million will be paid at the discretion of police for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of parties responsible for her murder.