IN A bid to attract information in relation to the 2006 murder of Sebastiano Formica in Shepparton, Homicide Squad detectives last week announced a $1 million reward to find the person responsible for his death.
Sebastiano, who was better known as Sam, died as a result of a stab wound sustained during a fight outside a Wyndham Street bar on January 22, 2006.
The 38-year-old Mooroopna man was at the Shepparton pub with a group of family and friends. About 1am a fight broke out between Sebastiano and his group of friends and a separate group of males. The fight spilled onto the street and continued to move south down the road as people ran in different directions.
It’s understood a short time later Sebastiano stopped outside the bar and told witnesses and family members that he had been stabbed.
He was taken by ambulance to hospital but died as a result of his injuries.
Following the fight, two men attended the Shepparton Police Station and reported the matter. They were formally interviewed in relation to the incident. A further four people were interviewed by detectives.
Homicide Squad Cold Case detectives recently reviewed the investigation and believe the reward will encourage those with crucial information to come forward.
Investigators are now at a stage where they are focussing on several persons of interest.
Officer in charge of the Homicide Squad, Detective Inspector Tim Day said the reward may well motivate those that have always had information crucial to this case to now come forward.
“We believe the announcement of this reward will encourage the right person or people to come forward,” Det Insp Day said.
“We are appealing directly to those people to help us solve this murder.
“For 12 years someone has known who has done this and it’s time that person tells us the truth.
“This investigation is not over and detectives will continue working until justice is given to the family of Sebastiano.”
A reward of up to $1,000,000 may be paid at the absolute discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police, for new information leading to both the charging and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Sebastiano Formica.
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 murder of Sebastiano Formica is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppers.com.au
