Cold case: Michele Brown

On the 14th of March 1992, the body of Michele Brown was discovered in an old shed at the rear of Mialls Gun Shop in Frankston North. 

Michele’s body was found in a state of severe decomposition, and it was determined that she had been murdered by a person or persons unknown.

Michele was one of five children and lived with her mother, father and younger brother at the time of her death. 

She was a natural athlete and played for the under 17’s Victoria State Netball side, until a knee injury stopped her from continuing. 

As a result of Michele’s injury, her lifestyle deteriorated, and she began to associate with persons involved in criminal activity. 

Michele was described as a loyal friend, so much so that it often led to people taking advantage of her good will.

Homicide detectives are seeking your help in solving this murder.

Michele was last seen alive on the evening of Sunday the 1st of March 1992 – which was her 25th Birthday.

At around 12pm that day, Michele was picked up from her home in Baxter by a friend, and driven to another friend’s house in Frankston North, where she stayed until around 7pm. 

Michele and a female friend then walked to the Food Plus store on Frankston-Dandenong Road, which took them about five minutes.

Michele borrowed 30 cents from her friend and made a call to her brother, asking for her mother to pick her up from the Frankston Railway Station. 

Michele’s friend left her at the Food Plus store and was then given a lift home by friends passing by.

Michele was seen walking away from the Food Plus Store between 7pm and 7.15pm. 

It’s not confirmed how she travelled to, or even if she arrived at the Railway Station in Frankston, which is approximately 3.8km from the Food Plus Store.

A taxi driver saw a woman who he believed to be Michele, near the phone boxes at the Frankston Railway Station between 8pm and 9pm. 

We are asking for anybody who saw a female fitting Michele’s description in or around the public telephone box at the Frankston Railway Station between 8.00 – 9.00pm on Sunday the 1st of March 1992, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A witness who resided near Playne Street in Frankston North, reported hearing two separate screams at a time shortly after 9pm, and we are asking for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious or unusual in the vicinity around, and including Playne Street Frankston North, on the evening of Sunday the 1st of March, 1992, to please contact Crime Stoppers.

Michele’s mother arrived at the Frankston Railway Station shortly after 8pm to pick up Michele but could not locate her daughter. 

It was unusual for Michele not to be waiting when asked to be picked up, and Michele’s mother drove around looking for a while before returning home. 

It wasn’t uncommon for Michele’s parents not to see her for a few days at a time, and as a result, she wasn’t reported missing by her mother until 12 days later, on the 13th of March 1992.

On the 14th of March 1992, a staff member who worked at Mialls Gun Shop in Frankston North discovered Michele’s body in an old shed out the back. 

The shed was accessible from the railway line and surrounded by blackberry bushes. 

Homicide Detectives would like to speak anyone who may have seen anything at the rear of gun shop in Frankston North or the vacant block of land at the rear of that location.

Michele was just 25 years old at the time of her murder,  

After 28 years, it could be your information that helps us solve the murder of Michele Brown.