Denise Mcgregor

Victoria Police are hopeful a recently increased $1 million reward may finally bring closure to the family of murdered Coburg teenager Denise Mcgregor.

Found beaten to death, roadside north of Melbourne in 1978, Denise’s murder has haunted her family for over four decades.

Denise’s elder sister Colleen Mcgregor says every time there was news of another rape or abduction, the family would wonder if it was the man who killed Denise. “We will never give up trying to find out what happened to Denise,” Colleen tells. “I hope the bugger who did it looks over his shoulder every single day.”

The 13-year-old schoolgirl was last seen walking with her other sister Sharon, then 11, from their home in Bell Street, Coburg, to a nearby hamburger shop around 6.15pm on March 20, 1978.

CHANGE IN PLANS

After leaving the store, Denise handed her sister the food and said she was going to the milk bar nearby to buy some soft drinks.

But when she didn’t return home her family reported her missing to the Coburg Police Station.

The next day, her body was discovered partially clothed and badly beaten next to a road in Wallan East, about three kilometres away.

Detective Inspector Tim Day says police know Denise had previously used a CB radio at a friend’s house on a couple of occasions and had contacted an unidentified male with the call sign

“Lightning One”, who remains of interest to investigators.

He urges anyone with information to come forward. “While 43 years have passed, I have no doubt that the community would expect that solving the brutal sexual assault and murder of an innocent teenage girl remains a priority for Victoria Police.”