Melbourne Australia 1980 Cold Case Solved - Arrest Shocks Community
True Crime Hour Solved
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Maria James was stabbed 68 times in the Thornbury bookshop she ran from her own home in 1980 — and her killer was still inside when help arrived.
Over the next four decades, the case would be undone almost as many times as it was investigated. Crucial evidence disappeared from police storage. A pillowcase used for 14 years to clear suspects — including a Catholic priest at the centre of the case — turned out to belong to a completely different murder. Two coronial inquests and a 2024 reward increase to $1 million later, no one has ever been charged.
This is the story of the Maria James case: a single mother, a locked bookshop, and one of Australia's most persistent unsolved murders.
If you know anything about this case: Victoria Police is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to a conviction. Report anonymously to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000, or via Victoria Police's case page: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/cold-ca...
This case is still unsolved — but not every Australian cold case has stayed that way. Catch up on the ones that got cracked: Australia Cold Cases
New case breakdowns every week — subscribe so you don't miss one: @TrueCrimeHour-r9q
Sources: Victoria Police, the 2021–22 coronial inquest into Maria James's death, and ABC News' reporting and podcast coverage of the case.
#truecrime #coldcase #mariajames #australiatruecrime
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Melbourne Australia 1980 Cold Case Solved - Arrest Shocks Community
True Crime Hour Solved
2,196 views
Maria James was stabbed 68 times in the Thornbury bookshop she ran from her own home in 1980 — and her killer was still inside when help arrived.
Over the next four decades, the case would be undone almost as many times as it was investigated. Crucial evidence disappeared from police storage. A pillowcase used for 14 years to clear suspects — including a Catholic priest at the centre of the case — turned out to belong to a completely different murder. Two coronial inquests and a 2024 reward increase to $1 million later, no one has ever been charged.
This is the story of the Maria James case: a single mother, a locked bookshop, and one of Australia's most persistent unsolved murders.
If you know anything about this case: Victoria Police is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to a conviction. Report anonymously to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000, or via Victoria Police's case page: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/cold-ca...
This case is still unsolved — but not every Australian cold case has stayed that way. Catch up on the ones that got cracked: Australia Cold Cases
New case breakdowns every week — subscribe so you don't miss one: @TrueCrimeHour-r9q
Sources: Victoria Police, the 2021–22 coronial inquest into Maria James's death, and ABC News' reporting and podcast coverage of the case.
#truecrime #coldcase #mariajames #australiatruecrime