Victoria Police is today announcing a $1 million reward for information to help solve the 1981 murder of Richmond woman Haroula Kipouridou.
The 25-year-old was last seen alive in the early hours of Friday, 3 July 1981.
At the time of her death, Haroula worked as a singer at a hotel on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy.
She had been working there on the night of her death and police established that she was later given a lift home to her Elizabeth Street address by two associates.
The pair dropped her off in front of the housing tower about 2am and did not see anything untoward at that time.
About half an hour later, Haroula's body was discovered on the floor of a lift inside the tower.
She had been severely physically assaulted and also sexually assaulted during the attack.
The investigation by the Homicide Squad at the time involved speaking to a large number of people who were known to Haroula or who lived in the vicinity of where she was murdered.
Although a number of people were investigated as potential suspects, police were unable to determine who the offender or offenders may have been.
Media reports at the time also suggested police were investigating one specific suspect, however there has never been sufficient evidence to conclusively say that person was responsible.
No one has ever been charged in relation to Haroula's death and in 1983, a Coroner returned an open finding in relation to Haroula's death.
A reward of $50,000 was announced three months after her death.
Victoria Police is today announcing an increased reward for information in relation to those responsible for Haroula's death.
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 Haroula Kipouridou.
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.
Detectives are hoping the increased reward will encourage someone to come forward with information.
As part of the renewed appeal and reward announcement, investigators are releasing images of Haroula along with crime scene photographs of the lift where she was discovered.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Dean Thomas, Homicide Squad:
"While over 40 years have passed since Haroula was assaulted and killed, detectives remain committed to finding out who was responsible for that attack.
"Haroula's death was nothing short of brutal. It involved a significant amount of violence and her last moments would have involved pain and fear.
"We know people who commit or are part of horrific crimes such as these will often disclose their actions to someone.
"Investigators remain hopeful that this is that case, and by making announcing this reward and making this appeal it may lead to someone coming forward to assist police.
"We always say that 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.
"I can assure people that every piece of information will be thoroughly assessed and every avenue of enquiry will be followed up.
"For the past four decades, the person or people responsible for this have been out in our community. It is our aim to do everything we can to identify those responsible and hold them to account.
"If those people are still out there, I want them to think about this and to understand we haven't given up."
