Thornbury Bookstore Murder of Maria James: Priest Anthony Bongiorno Cleared

Perth Now
June 26, 2015

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/thornbury-bookstore-murder-of-maria-james-priest-anthony-bongiorno-cleared/story-fnii5smr-1227417416975

Thornbury bookshop murder victim Maria James with husband John James. Picture: Supplied

DETECTIVES investigating the cold case murder of a mother in 1980 have cleared her family’s priest as a suspect.

Maria James was stabbed to death at the Thornbury Bookstore 35 years ago.

The case was reopened in 2013 when her son revealed new evidence that he alleged may have implicated Father Anthony Bongiorno.

But Detective Sen-Sgt Stuart Bailey, of the Homicide Squad, said Father Bongiorno — who died in 2002 — had now been ruled out as a suspect.

Thornbury bookshop murder victim Maria James and her son Adam.

“Father Bongiorno ... has been eliminated as a suspect through a variety of investigative techniques,” Det Sen-Sgt Bailey said.

He said the investigation had uncovered “other avenues of inquiry” as police continued to investigate Ms James’s murder.

“The James family, while being disappointed that the matter has not be resolved, are pleased that the Homicide Squad is continuing to pursue every lead available,” Det Sen-Sgt Bailey said.

Ms James’s intellectually disabled son Adam was 11 when she died. In 2013, he told his brother Mark new information about Father Bongiorno.

The Thornbury bookshop where Maria James was murdered in June 1980.

“I have asked Adam why he didn’t tell anyone else about this in the 33 years since Mum was murdered, but I don’t think, with his intellectual disability, he realised the significance of it,” Mr James said at the time.

The Herald Sun could not reveal the new details for legal reasons.

Anyone with information about Ms James’s death is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au