Reward offered amid fresh probe into Perth cold case murder

Andrew Podpinka was stabbed to death in his own home while his family were out. Decades on and there’s been a development.

The WA government is considering extraordinary protection measures for anyone with knowledge of a decades-old homicide as they launch a fresh probe into the murder of a man in his Perth home.

Andrew Podpinka, 43, was last seen alive by a neighbour at 2.45pm on March 4, 1999 as he collected his mail outside his Hannans Street home.

His wife and daughter returned from a shopping trip to find their beloved husband and father dead in the master bedroom with extensive wounds to his chest and back.

Andrew Podpinka was 43 when he was found stabbed to death in his Morley home on March 4, 1999.

WA Police Minister Paul Papalia announced a $250,000 reward to help solve the mystery more than 20 years after the tragic death.

The government is also considering an extraordinary step of recommending a protection from prosecution or pardon for anyone with information that leads to a conviction for Mr Podpinka’s murder.

Mr Papalia said it was under the proviso that the informant was not directly responsible for Mr Podpinka’s death.

Western Australian Police Minister Paul Papalia says a $250,000 is on offer for anyone with information.

“This was a brutal killing of a man who was attacked while sitting inside his own home,” he said.

“Investigators are confident someone in the community knows what happened that day in March 1999.

“For the sake of Mr Podpinka‘s family, who have suffered pain and anguish for more than 20 years, I urge you to speak up.”

The government approved the reward following a request from police.

Originally published as Reward offered amid fresh probe into Perth cold case murder