John Furlan was killed when his car exploded in Coburg North in 1998. Photo: Supplied / Victoria Police
Victoria Police has announced an A$1 million reward for information relating to the murder of Gianni "John" Furlan in Melbourne's north 27 years ago.
Mr Furlan, then 48, was killed when his car exploded in Coburg North on Monday, 3 August, 1998.
Later, investigators would determine commercial explosives had been attached to the car.
Mr Furlan's car exploded on Lorensen Avenue while he was travelling to work. Photo: Supplied / Victoria Police
"Despite an extensive investigation by members of the Arson and Explosives Squad and a number of public appeals for information over the past 27 years, nobody has ever been charged with John's death," a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
Furlan murdered on his way to work
On the day he was killed, Furlan was driving his white Subaru Liberty sedan north along Lorensen Avenue in Coburg North, near Merlynston Railway Station, when the car exploded.
"John was alone in the vehicle and was driving his usual route from his home address on Sydney Road to his auto-wrecking business on Sages Road," the police spokesperson said.
"As he always did, he stopped at the Merlynston News Agency for a coffee and the newspaper on the way.
"At approximately 8:35am, while still in motion, a bomb in John's car detonated."
John Furlan's car is seen mangled and incinerated after it was exploded by a bomb. Photo: Supplied / Victoria Police
Police said the explosion was heard up to 5km from the scene and catapulted the vehicle "15 metres down the road, shattering nearby shop windows and spraying debris over 300 metres away".
In the days before his death, police said Furlan travelled to Hobart to visit a friend and left his car parked at his home behind a high timber fence.
"Investigators believe his car was fitted with an explosive device during this time," police said.
Police previously offered a A$100,000 reward for information relating to Furlan's death in 2000.
'Brutal' car bombing put innocent lives at risk, police say
Now, police say $1 million will be paid for information that leads to solving the cold case and securing a conviction.
"John's death was shocking, brutal and a horrendous act of violence that put the lives of many innocent civilians going about their daily life at risk," Detective Inspector Chris Murray said.
Police believe explosives were attached to the car while Furlan was interstate. Photo: Supplied / Victoria Police
"It has been almost 30 years since John's death, but I would like to strongly reinforce that this is both an active investigation, and one that we believe is solvable.
"We always say that people's circumstances can change over the years and someone who may not have wanted to provide information to police previously may now feel ready to do so.
"We have every reason to believe someone out there today knows what happened to John and who is responsible."
Anyone with information about the murder of John Furlan is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
- ABC
