Detectives from the Homicide Squad are hopeful that today’s announcement of a $1 million reward will assist in solving the 1991 murder of Melinda Freeman.
Melinda, who was 27 at the time, was found dead by her husband in her Whittlesea home on Friday 4 October. She had been fatally assaulted.
Earlier that day, Melinda and her husband had been at a family reunion to welcome her sister back from overseas.
The couple returned to their Yea Road home at 4pm. Later on, her husband took their infant son and left the house, so Melinda could have some time alone to study for her chosen career in the beauty industry.
At approximately 11.30pm when they returned, her husband noticed the house appeared to have been ransacked.
It was at this time that he also noticed the front door to the house was open.
He walked inside, and from the foot of the stairs he saw Melinda’s body lying on the top storey landing.
Despite a significant investigation over the past 30 years, detectives have been unable to establish Melinda’s final movements on the night and the events which led to her death.
In 2018, police received anonymous information from a member of the public regarding Melinda’s death.
Homicide Squad detectives are keen to speak to that person and are appealing for them to contact police again in the hope this may provide further avenues of enquiry for the investigation.
Police have also released a photo of Melinda as part of this appeal.
Detectives are hoping that, whilst over 30 years after her death, today’s reward announcement will encourage someone to come forward with information about who was responsible for Melinda’s murder and why.
A reward of up to $1M will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police, for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Melinda Freeman.
The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider, according to established guidelines, the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in this matter.
Any information given will be treated as confidential and may be given at any time to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Dean Thomas, Homicide Squad:
“As much as this is about holding those responsible to account, Melinda’s family deserves an answer as to why this happened.
“Her young son has had to grow up without his mother in his life. He’s had to live with this tragedy and feel her loss every single day.
“We still don’t know why Melinda was murdered and we’re hoping that by announcing this reward today, we will get information that leads to detectives finding who is responsible.
“We’re really keen to speak to the person who submitted anonymous information in 2018. Please, get back in touch with police.
“People’s circumstances can change over the years and someone who may not have wanted to provide information to police previously may now feel ready to do so.
“It is never too late to tell us what you know and any piece of information, no matter how insignificant you might consider it to be, could be exactly what investigators need.”
