The heartbroken family of a mother-of-three murdered inside her Victorian home almost two decades ago have delivered an emotional plea after police offered a $1 million reward for information.
Jeff Yann says he and his family are “really grateful” to have the opportunity to seek justice over the alleged 2003 murder of his mother, Marea Yann, with a $1 million reward being offered for information.
“Mum was the quintessential loving mother, nonna and friend … she was a really shining light, and she was taken from us in such a brutal violent manner that we could never let this thing go,” Mr Yann said during a media conference on Tuesday.
“And Mum deserves justice, she never had justice 20 years ago, and we’re so lucky to have the support of the community.”
Marea Yann, 69, who is also the subject of a special Sky News Australia investigation on Wednesday at 8pm, was found inside her house in the Victorian town of Healesville on September 30, 2003, by a gardener who had arrived at the house to do some work.
She was laying on an armchair in the loungeroom and had suffered from extensive injuries to her head and upper body during the assault in the Juliet Crescent property.
Marea Yann, 69, was killed on the night of September 30, 2003, in her Healesville home before being found the next morning by a gardener who came to do some work. Picture: Victoria Police
Victoria Police on Tuesday morning announced it would offer a $1 million reward if it led to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Ms Yann’s death.
Detectives believe the grandmother was killed on the night before she was discovered, and sometime after she called her Queensland-based daughter at 8:07pm.
She had not been dressed for bed as she was wearing a red jumper, black pants and slip on shoes. The television had also been left on for the night and into the morning.
There appeared to be no forced entry.
A purse was found on the floor but detectives do not believe anything was taken from the home, which is about 60 kilometres north-east of Melbourne’s CBD.
In a press conference, Detective Superintendent Jane Stevenson said there were reasons for people to not come forward, but officers hoped the financial reward was an incentive to encourage someone with information small or big to speak or make a report to police.
“I know the family are anxious to have this closed,” she said.
Detective Superintendent Jane Stevenson announced a $1 million reward for any information related to Ms Yann which results in the arrest and conviction of the person(s). Picture: Supplied
SPECIAL DOCUMENTARY: Sky News Australia investigates Who Murdered Marea?
Ms Yann’s son Jeff and his two daughters Bella and Esther, along with his nephew, who were all holding hands, described it as a “real opportunity” to get justice.
“Mum was the quintessential loving mother, nonna, and friend. Mum was a shining light in the community working tirelessly for the op shop and charities,” Mr Yann said.
“She was taken from in such a brutal, violent manner that we could never let this thing go. Mum deserves justice, she never had justice 20 years ago.”
He hoped the seven-figure offer was “incentive” enough for someone in the public, especially those “timid”, to feel “confident” to come forward.
“Absolutely (it makes me angry). That’s been one of the worst feelings that this person committed such a brutal and cowardly act has been walking freely in the community for 20 years. He could be living next door to you,” Mr Yann added.
Ms Yann’s family made an emotional plea at the press conference on Tuesday for anyone with information to come forward. (L-R). Milan Chagoury (grandson) Esther Yann (granddaughter) Jeff Yann (son) and Bella Yann (granddaughter). Picture: David Caird
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Esther said their family and friends have not been able to “fully heal” and have been left without closure as they continue to reflect on the brutal nature of the crime.
“Bella and I for example, that’s most of our life that we’ve been living a nightmare and it reflects every day. Grief is hard when you have no resolve,” she said.
Her younger sister Bella added when she thinks about her nonna, it is not about the fun times and celebrations but how the beloved grandmother’s life was cut short.
“I don’t think about my relationship and Christmas, I think, ‘my nonna is murdered’, and… this person’s still around,” she said almost through tears.
“And that’s my experience of my grandmother and that’s not fair. It’s not fair for my family. Maybe eventually we’ll think about nonna and not the murder.”
Both women, who work in fields giving a voice to the voiceless, hope their nonna was proud of the careers they have started in criminology and with women in Northern Territory’s Alice Springs suffering from violence and health issues.
Mr Yann’s nephew Milan Chagoury said the main goal of the reward was about getting justice for their grandmother.
“I have so many fond memories. I spent the last 20 years going through them in my mind. She was the head of our family. When we lost her, we felt quite lost,” he said.
The family are determined to get justice for their grandmother. Picture: Supplied
Det Supt Jones believes the cold case is solvable.
She flagged a small clue may have been missed by detectives or a person who is yet to come forward could spark a new lead in the mysterious murder.
A 46-year-old man was arrested and charged in relation to the death in 2006 before being released two years later after being acquitted.
Police had previously offered a $100,000 reward.
“We have a completely open mind. We won’t be re-investigating the person themselves, we’re re-investigating the homicide,” Det Supt Jones said.
Police have also released photos from the crime scene showing the inside and outside of Ms Yann’s Healesville home in the hopes someone may remember something.
Police have released several photos in the hopes it would spark a memory for anyone in the community and entice them to come forward to anonymously speak to detectives. Picture: Victoria Police
The kitchen area of the house.
Blood splatter on a shopping catalogue at the crime scene.
The front of the property in Healesville.
Among the pictures include an aerial shot of the home surrounded by dense bushland, blood splatter on a shopping catalogue, the driveway and the backyard.
A new true crime documentary on Sky News, which will be hosted by journalist and broadcaster Denham Hitchcock and will air on Wednesday at 8pm, will investigate the murder, and piece together the clues which might finally see the cold case solved.
“Every phone call, every door knock, every tipoff and whisper led me deeper into this story. Not only did I feel deeply for Marea, who could have been anyone’s grandmother, but I could never have guessed where this investigation would lead,” Hitchcock said.
Police urge anyone with information about Ms Yann’s death can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it anonymously at crimestoppersvic.com.au.