General News
14 August, 2025
Arrest in 30-year-old St Kilda cold case
Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man with the 1994 death of Samantha Mizzi in St Kilda.
A 67-year-old man was arrested in Ararat on August 14.
He was charged with murder and two counts of rape and appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court.
The charges follow the fatal assault of Samantha Mizzi in St Kilda on March 29, 1994.
The body of the 24-year-old Castlemaine woman was located by a passerby in bushes at the rear of a property on Brighton Road about 11pm that night.
She was taken to the hospital but passed away.
Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said the charges demonstrate that progress can be achieved in cases, even decades later.
"Today's arrest and charges highlight that it doesn't matter how many years have passed, detectives remain committed to holding those who are involved in violent crimes to account," he said.
"It also shows that progress can be made on cases, even after decades have passed, and that we can begin the process of providing families with long-needed answers.
"If there are people out there who have information about a crime such as this, no matter how many years have passed, I can assure you that it's never too late to come forward.
"Any piece of information will be assessed thoroughly by police in the hope it can provide new avenues of enquiry for an investigation."
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.