– Radojko Djordevic is pronounced Rad-oy-koh Geord-ge-vich.
– Images of Radojko Djordevic are available via Hightail – https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/HWdRXnKa3n
– Additional images of the crime scene are available via Hightail – https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/tgGpjLQv9u
The NSW Government and NSW Police Force have announced a $500,000 reward for information regarding the murder of Radojko Djordjevic 39 years ago.
On Thursday 31 January 1985, the decomposed body of a man was located in bushland off South Marulan Road – just east of the Hume Highway – in Marulan in the state’s Southern Highlands.
The man appeared to have fatal gunshot wounds, and a post-mortem confirmed he had been shot three times in the neck and chest.
The man was identified as Radojko Djordevic, who was reported missing by his wife when he failed to meet her and his children in Canberra for the Bojic church festival on Saturday 26th of January 1985.
A coroner’s report indicated Mr Djordevic likely died between 9.30pm on Thursday 24th of January and 11am on Thursday 31 January 1985.
As a prominent member of Western Sydney’s Serbian community, president of the Free Serbian Orthodox church and president of the Old Toongabbie branch of the Liberal Partry, police believe the murder may have been politically motivated.
In 2003, homicide detectives under Strike Force Wirrah, arrested and charged a man with the murder; however, he was later acquitted.
As the case remains unsolved and under investigation, a $500,000 reward has been announced for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Mr Djordevic’s murder.
Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism, Yasmin Catley, said now is the time to come forward.
“It’s been 39 years the Djordevic family has been without answers – but police still believe there are people out there who could lead them to the missing piece of the puzzle,” Minister Catley said.
“Thanks to this reward, there are now 500,000 additional reasons to come forward and talk to detectives.”
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Virginia Gorman, said detectives haven’t given up on finding those responsible.
“As we continue our search for answers for the Djordjevic family, we hope this reward and the passage of time may encourage new witnesses to come forward,” Det A/Supt Gorman said.
“If you know anything – even if you believe it may be minor or insignificant – our investigators would love to hear from you.”
Mr Djodevic’s daughter, Gana Djordjevic, said she hoped with all her heart and that the reward may inspire any witness to come forward.
“I had just turned 21 when our father, Radojko Djordevic, was brutally bashed and then shot three times – my brother Dragan was 19, Milan was 13 and Miladin was 10,” Ms Djordevic said.
“I am 60 now, and we are desperately still seeking closure to the continuous grieving, suffering and insecurity caused by my father’s death.
“My father was unlicenced at the time of his killing, which tells us he wasn’t driving a car and the person or persons responsible for this is someone we may have considered family friends.
“An arrest would mean that our father didn’t die for nothing.”
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
