Major twist in Canberra cold case home invasion murder of Irma Palasics as police arrest a man, 68 – and her family lament ’24 years of pain and uncertainty’

Police have made a major breakthrough in the horrific case of an elderly woman who was murdered during a home invasion almost a quarter of a century ago.

On the night of November 6, 1999, two men forced their way into the home of Gregor and Irma Palasics in the Canberra suburb of McKellar at around 9:30 p.m.

They were tied up with cable ties and savagely beaten before the men ransacked their home, stealing cash and jewelry, while Ms Palasics died from her injuries.

On Wednesday, almost 24 years later, a 68-year-old Melbourne man was arrested and will be charged with murder.

In a statement, the Palasics family said: “After nearly 24 years of pain, questioning and uncertainty, we have never given up hope of discovering who was responsible for this heinous act.”

On the night of the attack, Mr Palasics managed to free himself and call 000, but his wife, aged 72, choked on her own blood and died instantly.

The accused Rowville man will appear in the Dandenong Magistrates Court where police will seek his extradition to Canberra.

ACT police had for years focused their investigation on two men coming from Melbourne to burglarize the house and they, I believe a second man is still at large.

Police believe a member of Melbourne’s Hungarian community may have vital information about who was responsible for Ms Palasics’ murder.

The Palasics were also victims of aggravated burglaries in 1997 and 1998, which are believed to be linked to the third, fatal case.

A $500,000 reward initially offered in 2012 remains in place for anyone who can help police secure a conviction in Ms Palasics’ murder.

“As a police officer, this is a great day when officers can call family members to let them know that the person responsible for the death of a loved one has been identified and is now in custody,” said ACT Detective Superintendent Scott Moller.

“Homicide investigations are extremely complex. They require determination and extreme dedication – and thankfully in this case the dedication of ACT Police criminal investigations has led us to today’s outcome.

“Irma Palasics’ family never gave up hope, never stopped asking the community for help, and always worked to keep the case fresh in people’s minds.

On Wednesday, a 68-year-old Melbourne man (pictured center) was arrested and will be charged with murder.

Police have released an image (photo) of a man they say may have information about the 1999 murder of Irma Palasics in Canberra.

“Being able to achieve today’s outcome will give us some comfort knowing that one of those responsible for this horrific crime is now in custody.

“We continue to work to identify and charge the second offender. We urge this man to come forward as quickly as possible,” he said.

The Palasics family released a statement saying “their grandparents did not deserve what happened to them.”

“Not only was Irma murdered, but Gregor’s life virtually ended that night and ours was never the same.”

READ MORE: Declan Cutler stabbed – 13 ‘too young’ to be held criminally responsible

A judge has ruled that a 13-year-old boy is too young to be held criminally responsible for the murder of Declan Cutler.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was tried before a judge alone in July after being identified as one of eight boys who attacked and killed Declan, 16, as he left a party birthday party in Melbourne’s north last year.

Declan became separated from his friends as he left the Reservoir party in the early hours of March 13, when a stolen Mazda hatchback pulled up.

Declan Cutler (pictured) suffered more than 100 injuries and died from four fatal stab wounds.