Vic: Reward offered to solve New Year s Eve murder

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2000
Vic: Reward offered to solve New Year s Eve murder

Police have offered a $100,000 reward in a bid to solve the New Year's Eve murder of
a 95-year-old Melbourne great-grandmother three years ago.

KATHLEEN DOWNES was found dead in a pool of blood in her room at the Brunswick Lodge
Nursing Home about 6.20am on December 31, 1997.

She'd suffered stab wounds to her neck and her room had been ransacked.

Homicide Squad detective inspector ANDREW ALLEN says Mrs DOWNES was last seen alive
about 12.30am.

It appeared her murder was a burglary gone wrong.

But investigators haven't discounted the possibility the crime was a thrill kill, as
nothing was stolen and Mrs DOWNES was not known to keep valuables in her room.

Det Insp ALLEN says it's unclear if more than one person was responsible and investigations
have come to a dead end, despite an extensive investigation locally and interstate.

He says it's hoped the release of the reward will convince someone to come forward
and assist police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

AAP RTV bp/pjb/et/jn

KEYWORD: STAB REWARD (MELBOURNE)

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