Five conflicting accounts of the fatal stabbing of Waurn Ponds mother Raichele Galea in June have led Homicide Squad detectives to plead for public assistance.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Colbert on Wednesday appealed for anyone who knew what “went on inside that unit” to come forward.
“We don’t believe what we’ve got so far is the truth,” he said. “Or if it is the truth, it’s not the whole truth.”
Emergency services attended a unit on Matthews Road, Corio, about 10pm on 30 June following reports a woman had been assaulted.
They attempted to revive the woman, but she died at the scene. Police later identified the 44-year-old as Raichele Galea.
Det Sen Sgt Colbert described Raichele, who had two adult children, as troubled but hardworking at the time of her death.
“Rachel was a caring person,” he said.
“Her employer tells us she was very conscientious in her work.
“She had some troubles with drugs at various times and some relationship problems but they’re challenges … that many people face.
“She … didn’t deserve to meet this tragic end.”
Originally police believed two people were at the property at the time of the incident but an investigation indicated three others left before officers arrived.
“We’re open to whether there could have been more,” Det Sen Sgt Colbert.
Detectives interviewed a 45-year-old woman and a 43-year-old woman, both from Corio, on the night.
Police later spoke to three more people, two males and a female, in relation to the incident.
Det Sen Sgt Colbert said police knew each of the five and Raichele to “varying degrees” prior to the incident.
“Some of these people have had challenges in their lives.”
All five provided different accounts to police about what occurred inside the property at the time of Raichele’s death.
“It’s very clear that something happened inside that house and those people must know what that was,” Det Sen Sgt Colbert said.
Police released them pending further inquiries and Det Sen Sgt Colbert declined to label any of the five as suspects.
Detectives had followed a number of leads as to why Raichele was at the house, he said.
“The parties were known to each other and Raichele knew some of the people in that house but probably not all.
“There are some strong indicators as to why she may have been there but nothing that’s conclusive.”
Detectives released images of a silver Holden Commodore sedan (pictured) on Tuesday and urged anyone who saw the car arriving at or leaving the Matthews Road address on 30 June to contact them.
Forensic specialists were testing a weapon found at the house, Det Sen Sgt Colbert said.
He urged anyone with information to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
View the media conference with Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Colbert, Homicide Squad.
