Tasmanian Police launch new search in cold case murder of Victoria Cafasso

Police believe they may find new information about the murder of a young Italian tourist who was killed on an Australian beach 28 years ago.

Police have renewed calls for information into the murder of Italian tourist Victoria Cafasso. Picture: Tasmania Police

Police have launched a new search for information into the murder of an Italian tourist nearly three decades ago.

The body of Victoria Cafasso was found with multiple stab wounds on the beach of Freshwater Creek in Beumaris, Tasmania, on October 11, 1995.

The case remains unsolved despite a $500,000 reward and descriptions of a man and a light coloured Subaru station wagon in the area at the time of the murder.

Search and rescue crews as well as police divers conducted a land and water search in nearby St Helens on Thursday as they continue to investigate her death.

Police have renewed calls for information into the 1995 murder of Italian tourist Victoria Cafasso at Beaumaris Beach on Tasmania's east coast. Picture: Tasmania Police

Police divers scour the waters around St Helens for anything that could help the case.

Armed with metal detectors, officers searched the shallow water for any clues.

“This is an area that has not previously been searched but is an area of interest following a recent review of the case,” a Tasmanian Police spokesperson said.

“Police say it is also as a result of information received from witnesses regarding the movements of a 1970s light coloured Subaru station wagon.”

Police divers scoured the area alongside officers with metal detectors.

Last week, police released reconstructed images of the vehicle, which was spotted at various locations around Beumaris, including at Freshwater Creek, at the time of the murder.

They also released a description of a man in his 20s with blond hair, about 182cm tall, slim build but very fit, sun-tanned legs and arms, and the appearance of a surfer who may be able to help with inquiries.

Other officers searched the bushland nearby.

Police say the search comes on the back of new information given to them in the past week. Picture: Tasmania Police

The distinctive light coloured Subaru station wagon is a vehicle of interest in the investigation. Picture: Tasmania Police

Detective Acting Inspector Andrew Hanson said while it had been nearly 28 years since Ms Cafasso was murdered, a routine review into her death had led police down a new line of inquiry.

“We never close these cases, and the latest searches showcase our investigators’ commitment to finding answers for Victoria’s family,” he said.

The $500,000 reward remains available for information relating to a conviction in the case.

Anyone with information relating to the murder of Ms Cafasso should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au.