By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
POLICE have renewed hopes of solving a 22-year-old homicide cold-case involving a taxi driver’s body found in Police Paddocks Reserve.
Emanuel Sapountzakis, 25, of Clayton, had collected a passenger from a Boronia address about 2am on 2 March, 1993.
Shortly after, Mr Sapountzakis was seen by witnesses driving his Ford Falcon taxi with a male front seat passenger south on Stud Road in Dandenong.
Cold Case and Missing Persons Squad detectives believe a witness saw the taxi pull into Police Paddocks Reserve – the last confirmed sighting of the cabbie alive.
About 8am that morning, his body was found by a woman walking her dog.
Mr Sapountzakis’s taxi was found shortly after abandoned on Mountain Highway, Boronia.
A post-mortem coronial investigation found Mr Sapountzakis had died of gunshot wounds, most likely due to a random robbery “turned violent”.
However cold case detectives during a review of the homicide this year now believe Mr Sapountzakis was killed in a targeted attack.
A police statement stated that after contacting several new witnesses and following up fresh leads, detectives believe financial retribution was the motive.
Several people were involved in the planned killing, police believe.
According to fresh information, a maroon Nissan Skyline with partial registration DSD was also believed to be involved.
Detective Senior Constable Kane Taylor said investigators were close to solving the case.
“For over 20 years, Emanuel’s family, including his 24-year-old daughter have been left without answers.
“I am appealing to those who have information to show some compassion and tell us what happened.”
The Journal stated at the time that police found two 12-gauge cartridges near Mr Sapountzakis’s body, found in bush at the end of Greenbank Avenue.
“Police believe Mr Sapountzakis was made to stand with his hands behind his head before being shot twice at close range with a shotgun, once in the head and in the lower back,” the Journal reported.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
