Tasmania Police is offering a record $1 million reward to solve the brutal murder of a young Italian tourist killed three decades ago.
Victoria Cafasso was just 20 when she was murdered at Freshwater Creek in Beaumaris on October 11, 1995.
Today marks exactly 30 years since her death.
The $1 million reward – the largest ever offered in Tasmania – is a significant escalation in efforts to bring her killer to justice after years of dead ends.
“This is a life-changing amount,” Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodnar said.
“30 years have passed since Victoria’s murder and we are confident that with the passing of time, personal circumstances may have changed that will enable someone to provide the information required to close this case.”
He described the killing as a “random and particularly vicious attack murder of a young girl at the very beginning of her adult life”.
“Despite several lengthy investigations and calls for information over the past 30 years, her murderer has never been charged,” he said.
“For nearly a third of a century, the murderer has lived with this on their conscience. That must consume them. They have the opportunity to provide closure to Victoria’s family. It’s not too late.”
For nearly three decades, investigators have pursued leads relating to a distinctive light-coloured Subaru station wagon seen in the area at the time.
The driver – a man in his 20s, about six feet tall with a slim but fit build and surfer-like appearance – was spotted running onto the beach where Victoria’s body was found.
Northern District Commander Marco Ghedini confirmed a man had been interviewed and remains a person of interest.
“Victoria’s family deserve closure and our detectives continue to work to try and provide that closure,” he said.
Police are also appealing for a Crime Stoppers tipster who reported information in December about a 1990 assault to come forward.
Information can be provided to Tasmania Police on 131 444 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
