The Western Australia Police are urging anyone with information on the murder of John Tzellaidis, a Greek migrant who went missing in 1978 in Dampier, to come forward in what is a wide effort by the state to solve their cold cases.
Mr Tzellaidis was last seen alive at the Dampier Shopping Centre on Tuesday 4 July 1978 leaving in the company of an unidentified male before being found dead on 7 August 1978 with a gunshot wound to the head.
Police believe he had been dead for approximately one month when his body was discovered.
This case had previously had a reward of $250,000 but it was increased in May by the then-McGowan Government to incentivise people with crucial information to come forward.
In total, 64 open investigations (unsolved homicides and suspicious long-term missing person investigations) were given a $1 million reward.
“The financial incentive will hopefully ensure those responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to justice and assist grieving families in finding closure,” said WA Police Minister Paul Papalia in a statement.
“The State Government will continue to support the WA Police Force and give it the necessary tools to catch criminals.”
WA Police Commissioner thanked the State Government for its support and affirmed their commitment to solve these cases and deliver closure to the victims’ loved ones.
Information on John Tzellaidis’ murder case
Mr Tzellaidis was born in Greece in December 1936 and had lived in Australia for roughly 14 years before he went missing.
He was a labourer by trade and arrived in Dampier on 22 March 1978, working as a trade’s assistant for a number of businesses and living at a construction camp in Dampier before moving out on Thursday 29 June 1978.
The Greek migrant left his employment and was paid the $600 he was owed (worth around $3,000 today when adjusted for inflation), being driven to the Dampier Shopping Centre.
Over the following days, several people in the Dampier Shopping Centre precinct and local hotels saw Mr Tzellaidis.
On Tuesday 4 July 1978, he was seen at the shopping centre in company with an unidentified male described as 42-45 years old, 165 cm tall, thin to medium build and dark ‘scruffy’ hair in appearance.
Witnesses identified them as “George the moneyman” and said that he spoke with a heavy Greek accent.
Police believe Mr Tzellaidis and the unidentified male travelled from Dampier to the mining town of Tom Price in a brown HR Holden utility to seek employment.
A brown Holden utility was seen heading along the Dampier/Tom Price access road. This road intersects the Dampier/Karratha Road, which is near Seven Mile Creek.
Money was withdrawn from Mr Tzellaidis’ bank account in Port Hedland on Wednesday 5 July 1978, in Darwin on Thursday 13 July 1978, and in Hughenden in country Queensland on Tuesday 18 July 1978.
On Monday, 7 August 1978, Mr Tzellaidis’ body was located in bushland at Seven Mile Creek, approximately six kilometres from the Karratha town-site.
He was discovered wearing dark blue trousers, an open neck T-shirt and a light blue zip front cardigan. A pair of desert boots were found
nearby.
There was no identification or anything of value left on his body except for a well-worn white metal ring on the little finger of his left hand.
An examination revealed Mr Tzellaidis died due to a gunshot wound to the head and had been dead for approximately one month.
The person or persons responsible for Mr Tzellaidis’ death have not yet been identified.
If you have any information about the death of John Tzellaidis or his movements around July 4 1978, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an online report.
Please remember that you can remain anonymous if you wish and rewards are offered.
