There's been a breakthrough in Alicia O'Reilly's cold case, with police to soon release new information discovered as part of a review of the investigation into the young girl's death more than 40 years ago.
Six-year-old O'Reilly was found dead in her bed at her family's home on Canal Rd, Avondale on August 16, 1980. Police says she was raped and murdered. However, despite a lengthy initial investigation and subsequent reviews, her killer has never been caught.
But police now say they have made a "breakthrough" and will reveal new information as part of the Cold Case programme airing on TVNZ1 at 8:30pm on Tuesday night.
It comes after police last year began a review of the entire investigation file, including all information gathered by officers over the last 40 years.
"This was a thorough cover-to-cover review of the file," says Detective Senior Sergeant Ngahiraka Latimer. 'It has provided the investigation team with new lines of inquiry, which will be discussed in tonight's episode."
Det Snr Sgt Latimer says investigators have approached the case with an open mind and fresh eyes, and is encouraging anyone who lived around Avondale at the time of the young girl's death to tune in.
“Police remain committed to bringing justice for Alicia no matter how much time has passed since her horrific murder.”
