Six years after Jill Brookes was assaulted and left in her Altona book store with life-threatening injuries, police are again appealing for information, Victoria Police say.
Jill was located by a fellow trader inside her Harrington Square second-hand book shop around 5pm on Friday, 20 July 2012.
The then 61-year-old sustained life-threatening injuries to her upper body and was conveyed to The Alfred hospital.
Sadly, Jill did not recover fully from her injuries and still requires constant care.
Detectives have made a number of public appeals over the past six years, including the announcement of a $100,000 reward in February 2014.
In May 2013 a man attended the Altona North police station and dropped a letter into the station mail box in relation to the incident.
The letter contained a newspaper clipping regarding the incident and a note written with letters cut from the paper.
Despite urging the man to come forward and speak to police, he has never been identified.
Investigators are still of the belief a letter may hold the key to the investigation.
On 19 November 2014 details of a man police believed could assist with enquiries was released, along with information regarding a truck seen in the area around the time of the assault.
The man was described as being Caucasian in appearance with a medium build.
It’s believed he was wearing full khaki overalls and a dark, checked flannel shirt at the time of the incident.
While no one has ever been charged in relation to the assault, detectives haven’t given up hope that someone out there could come forward with information to help solve the case.
Investigators are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was in the area between 3-5pm on the day, along with anyone else who may have information about the incident and who is responsible.
The $100,000 reward remains on offer and money up to that amount 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 assault.
In appropriate cases, the Director of Public Prosecutions may 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.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
