Victoria Police have renewed their appeal for public information, 40 years after the suspicious disappearance of Moe man Albert Pisani.
At a media conference today, Detective Inspector David Dunstan, of the Missing Persons Squad, told reporters that the $1 million reward and the Director of Public Prosecutions’ offer of indemnification remain available to anyone who can help identify those responsible for Mr Pisani’s death.
Mr Pisani was 27 when he vanished from his Moe address on 10 October 1986. He was last seen walking along Prince Street and was believed to be heading to a bank before returning home to his partner and five children for lunch.
Because he regularly travelled on short road trips, his family was not immediately alarmed. He was reported missing on 15 October, five days after he was last seen.
Following extensive searches, Mr Pisani’s remains were found in bushland at Driffield on 9 June 1987, about 20 kilometres from his Moe home. Police believe he was the victim of foul play.
Detectives have spent four decades speaking with family members, friends and associates as they attempt to establish what happened to him. They believe he was involved in a dispute at his workplace, the State Electricity Commission, Briquette Factory in Morwell, before his disappearance.
Mr Pisani had a strong interest in trucks, knew local and interstate drivers, and regularly hitchhiked around Australia. Police say it remains unclear who may have been responsible or what motivated the alleged attack. They also stress that he had no criminal history and was not known to police before he vanished.
A reward of up to $1 million remains on offer for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person or people responsible for Mr Pisani’s death. The Director of Public Prosecutions may also consider indemnification from prosecution for anyone who provides information identifying the principal offender or offenders.
Detective Inspector Dunstan said police did not believe Mr Pisani left voluntarily or took his own life.
“His disappearance was out of character, and we believe he was met with foul play,” he said. “These types of missing persons investigations are never closed and sadly, Albert’s killer remains out there.”
“Allegiances will change, friendships will change and there are people out there who know what’s happened to Albert,” Detective Inspector Dunstan told reporters. “We’re asking those people to come forward and provide us with the answers to give the family peace and justice for Albert.”
Lord Murray Schoorman of Peak Hour Images attended today’s police media conference and captured images of Detective Inspector David Dunstan, Missing Persons Squad, addressing the media.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
