- Published:
- Monday 16 February 2026 at 12:00 pm
Victoria Police has announced a $1 million reward for information to help solve the 1981 murder of Richmond woman Haroula Kipouridou.
The 25-year-old was last seen alive in the early hours of Friday, 3 July 1981.
At the time of her death, Haroula worked as a singer at a hotel on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy.
She had been working there on the night of her death and police established that she was later given a lift home to her Elizabeth Street address by two associates.
The pair dropped her off in front of the housing tower about 2am and did not see anything untoward at that time.
About half an hour later, Haroula’s body was discovered on the floor of a lift inside the tower.
She had been severely physically assaulted and also sexually assaulted during the attack.
The investigation by the Homicide Squad at the time involved speaking to a large number of people who were known to Haroula or who lived in the vicinity of where she was murdered.
Although a number of people were investigated as potential suspects, police were unable to determine who the offender or offenders may have been.
Media reports at the time also suggested police were investigating one specific suspect, however there has never been sufficient evidence to conclusively say that person was responsible.
No one has ever been charged in relation to Haroula’s death and in 1983, a Coroner returned an open finding in relation to Haroula’s death.
A reward of $50,000 was announced three months after her death. Victoria Police has announced an increased reward for information in relation to those responsible for Haroula’s death.
A reward of up to $1 million will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police, for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Haroula Kipouridou.
The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider, according to established guidelines, the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in this matter.
As part of the renewed appeal and reward announcement, investigators have released images of Haroula, along with crime scene photographs of the lift where she was discovered.
Find more information and images relating to the cold case of Haroula Kipouradou.
Anyone with information about the murder of Haroula is urged to contact crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
Rewards list
Return to our Rewards list to see if you have any information that could help police.
Updated