Murray owned an opal mining field and lived about eight kilometres outside Lightning Ridge, at a campsite where he had been staying for five years at the time of his death. Murray had moved to Lightning Ridge in 1990 to be closer to a relative.
Murray was last seen alive on 19 March, 1995, when a local dropped him off on the outskirts of Lightning Ridge. He was reported missing to the police one week later, and around a month after he was last seen, his decomposing body was found in scrub about two kilometres from the campsite where Murray lived.
A post-mortem examination and a 1996 coronial inquest found no signs of trauma. In 2012, the State Crime Command's Unsolved Homicide Unit created Strike Force Huddleston to investigate the death. Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said that after three decades without closure, the Murray family deserved answers.
“Paul was a much-loved brother and a vulnerable man whose life ended in circumstances that remain unexplained. Someone may know what happened to him, and it is never too late to come forward," Catley said.
“This $1 million reward is about helping police get the information they need to find the truth for Paul and his family.
“Time does not erase responsibility. If you know something about Paul Murray’s death, please contact Crime Stoppers.”
Despite $100,000 and $500,000 rewards being offered, no convictions have been made, and NSW Police Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi said anyone with any information about Murray’s death should contact investigators immediately.
"The investigation has reached a stage where it's at a stalemate," Doueihi said.
"We have no current active lines of enquiry that will enhance the investigation, so it's now time that we go to a million-dollar reward."
Police have revealed that Murray purchased a firearm shortly before his death. It has also been noted that a black book, containing debts owed to Murray, was missing from his possessions.
• Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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