By EMMA SUN
THE brother of a Belgrave man who was shot dead 30 years ago is urging members of the public to think back to the 1980s in the hope of finally finding his brother’s killer.
And police are now offering a $500,000 reward for anyone with information about the death of Rodney Mitchell, who was killed at the Police Paddocks in Rowville at about 8pm on 23 May 1983.
Homicide detectives believe Mr Mitchell’s death was linked to two previous rapes at the same location, leading them to increase the reward from $50,000.
Mr Mitchell’s brother Russell said the family wanted to see the case resolved.
“It’s been very difficult, what had happened and where it happened, basically so close to home,” he said.
“It was a great shock, I could not believe that sort of thing could actually happen to you and your family.
“We’ve stuck together pretty well and supported each other pretty well throughout the years and now we’re all pretty excited that the efforts police are making may bring closure for the family to the whole situation.”
According to police, Mr Mitchell and his female friend were confronted by a man wearing a balaclava and armed with a sawn-off shotgun on the driver’s side of their red 1981 Mitsubishi Sigma GL sedan.
Mr Mitchell was ordered from the car and was believed to have complied with this request.
Police said once outside the car he attempted to disarm the masked man and they struggled for control of the firearm. During this struggle the man pulled the trigger, shooting Mr Mitchell in the chest and he died at the scene.
The man then tied the woman’s hands together and drove with her to Churchill Park Drive, where she managed to escape by forcing open the passenger side door and rolling onto the road.
The offender was last seen in the red Mitsubishi heading south-east towards Berwick on the Monash Freeway.
Mr Mitchell’s car was found the next morning dumped at the Caulfield Railway Station in Railway Avenue, Caulfield, now known as Sir John Monash Drive.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles said the two rapes, which happened in March 1980 and April 1983, also involved a man wearing a balaclava and holding a shotgun, where a man and a woman were ordered out of the car and both were tied up.
Det Snr Sgt Iddles urged people to think back to the 1980s for any clue that may lead police to solving not only the murder case, but the sexual assaults as well.
“The question is, ’where was that car overnight?’,” he asked.
“I want people to go back into their memory 30 years, did your partner, did your father, did your brother, come home in a 1981 Sigma.
“You may actually hold the key of solving not only the murder of Rodney Mitchell, but the horrific rape of two other women in 1980 and 1983.”
Anyone with information which may help the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
