Victoria Police is today announcing a $1 million reward for information to help solve the 1990 murder of Michael Schievella and Heather McDonald.
Homicide Squad detectives continue to appeal for information into deaths of Michael, 44, and Heather, 36, who were murdered in their St Andrews home on 16 September 1990.
About 8am that morning, Heather's young son awoke and went to the lounge area of the house to watch TV.
He later told police Michael was speaking to a man wearing a balaclava.
The unknown man subsequently took the boy to his bedroom and after tying his hands, closed the door and left him on the floor.
A short time later the boy reported hearing male voices, including that of Michael, coming from the bedroom area.
He told police he heard a male ask "have you got any money on you?" and "where have you hidden your money?", to which Michael responded that he hasn't got any.
The boy then heard Michael say "don't do that to her" followed by loud thud-type noises and Michael screaming.
Heather's young daughter was later woken by the sound of a telephone ringing and got up to find the main bedroom door closed.
She then went to her brother's room and found him tied up on the floor.
She freed him and both children went to the main bedroom where they saw the blood-stained sheets which were covering their mother.
Both children then ran to the rear of the house where they saw Michael lying in the rear garden with blood staining around his body.
The pair fled over paddocks to nearby Mittons Bridge Road, where they hailed a passing neighbour and raised the alarm.
Police have established that Schievella was a well-known criminal identity at the time of his death and was involved in drug trafficking.
A number of people have been interviewed over the past three decades and investigators continue to pursue new information.
Homicide Squad Detectives are particularly appealing for anyone with any information to come forward, specifically people that were seen involved in an altercation or leaving St Andrews hotel with Schievella in the early hours of 16 September 1990.
Police have also released images of Michael and Heather as part of this appeal.
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 Michael Schievella and Heather McDonald.
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.au
Further information about this investigation is also available on the Victoria Police Cold Case hub: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/cold-case-stories
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Tim Day:
"No one deserves to die in the way Heather and Michael did - it was described by investigators at the time as a "brutal, callous and cowardly attack" and our current investigators would completely agree with that.
"It's even more tragic given we had two young children who were confronted by the sight of their mother and her partner who had been killed in this way.
"I have no doubt that it's an incident which has had a significant impact on them and that over 30 years on, they still feel this loss.
"We believe this was a targeted attack however as always, we need to keep an open mind.
"We know that Michael had a criminal history predominantly in relation to drugs, and that he had been at a hotel in St Andrews earlier that night with associates.
"This remains a strong avenue of enquiry for our investigation and we are keen to speak to anyone who may have information, particularly regarding who he was with at the hotel that night and what an argument he had was in relation to.
"Circumstances can change a lot over 30 years and we are hopeful that the right person with the right information is now ready to speak to police."
