‘Mafia’ figure leaves $1.88m in assets — but $518,000 of debt

John Latorre was gunned down in a pre-dawn hit. Now his assets and debts can be revealed.

Mourners leaving the funeral of John Latorre Picture: NCA NewsWire

Suspected mafia associate John Latorre amassed a $1.88m estate in property, shares and other assets before he was killed in a pre-dawn hit by a gunman who is still on the run.

Victorian Supreme Court documents reveal the 64-year-old vegetable wholesaler’s will lists his main asset as real estate valued at $1.5m in Shepparton East and “personal estate” worth $384,522.

The documents, released to The Australian, also list total liabilities of $518,011.09 including a $14,594.32 mortgage, a $5,850 credit card debt and another mortgage of $497,566.77.

Among the personal assets listed is a 2011 Audi sedan valued at $25,000 and shares worth almost $350,000. Latorre also owned one share in a company called Jonmari Pty Ltd and one share in Latorre’s Fruit & Vegetable Wholesalers Pty Ltd, the court documents reveal.

Latorre’s will leaves his entire estate to his wife, Maria Latorre. In an affidavit filed with the court, Mrs Latorre explains to the court that the ongoing police investigation has prevented her from being able to file a death certificate.

“I am unable to provide my solicitors with the Cause of Death Certificate as there is an ongoing criminal investigation into the death of the deceased,” she states in the affidavit.

Mrs Latorre told the Supreme Court that she would provide the certificate “once the investigation has concluded”.

Latorre was gunned down outside his northern suburbs home in Greenvale just after 4.30am on March 12, 2024, as he was leaving for the Epping Market, where he ran the family business, Latorre’s Fruit & Vegetable Wholesalers.

John Latorre was farewelled at a packed funeral. Picture: MultiMedia Studios

The murder of Latorre, who police suspected had links to the mafia, rocked Melbourne’s underworld and ignited fears another violent gangland war could be about to erupt.

Latorre was shot a number of times in the upper body by an unknown offender, police said at the time of the murder.

“Yes, he was a man known to Victoria Police … those inquiries will be made in relation to what is known, and they will form part of our investigation,” Detective Senior Sergeant Danny Travaglini said in March.

“If there are links to organised crime, there’s always the potential of retaliation and that’s where Victoria Police approach such investigations as a high priority … we will do whatever we possibly can to ensure there’s no retaliation.

“Our inquiries would suggest that at about 4.30am this morning, the male was leaving his home address, with a view to go to work. As he exited … he was ­approached by another person or persons, where he was shot. As a result of being shot, he sustained fatal injuries and died on scene.

Latorre’s ties with the mafia began to emerge in the hours after his violent death. His brother, Vincent Latorre, was jailed for 11 years in 2009 for his role in blackmailing rivals in the Goulburn Valley region.

After his death, a gangland figure told The Australian that the shooting had taken the underworld by surprise. “He was a very nice, respectful, peaceful man, I can’t believe it.

“John was a beautiful man and I’m very sorry to see him go. I’m shocked.

“He’s got no enemies, as far as I know. But he’s obviously upset someone, it is very sad.”

The Australian understands that police have yet to lay charges over the murder. In a statement on Thursday, Victoria Police said: “The investigation remains ongoing.”