Kathy Pinna
Shop killing: money ruled out as a motive
WANGARATTA
Police have discounted robbery as the motive for the killing of a Wangaratta shop manageress yesterday.
Liana Maria Rigoni, 29 of Swan Street, Wangaratta, was found lying face down in a first floor office in the Woolworths store in Murphy Street. Her throat was cut. She had other cuts and grazes.
The head of the homicide squad, Chief Inspector Paul Delianis, said a 30 cm kitchen carving knife with a serrated edge was found next to the body. "There was some evidence of a scuffle", he said. Chief Inspector Delianis said a chair had been overturned in the office where there was a combination floor safe containing several hundred dollars.
Miss Rigoni, who lived with her parents and family in Wangaratta, left for work about 7:30 am and drove to the store in about 15 minutes. Police believe she went up the stairs to the office and counted the cash in the safe as she usually did on pay day. Police said she was then attacked with a knife but neither the money nor any goods were stolen.
One of the store staff found the body when she arrived for work about 8:30 am. It is believed Miss Rigoni entered the store through the front door and that her killer may have done the same. There was no evidence of a break-in.
Police early today charged a 19 year old shop assistant with murder. He will appear in the Wangaratta Magistrates Court this morning.
- The Age (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) Thursday May 4 1978 by Mark Brolly.
Police have discounted robbery as the motive for the killing of a Wangaratta shop manageress yesterday.
Liana Maria Rigoni, 29 of Swan Street, Wangaratta, was found lying face down in a first floor office in the Woolworths store in Murphy Street. Her throat was cut. She had other cuts and grazes.
The head of the homicide squad, Chief Inspector Paul Delianis, said a 30 cm kitchen carving knife with a serrated edge was found next to the body. "There was some evidence of a scuffle", he said. Chief Inspector Delianis said a chair had been overturned in the office where there was a combination floor safe containing several hundred dollars.
Miss Rigoni, who lived with her parents and family in Wangaratta, left for work about 7:30 am and drove to the store in about 15 minutes. Police believe she went up the stairs to the office and counted the cash in the safe as she usually did on pay day. Police said she was then attacked with a knife but neither the money nor any goods were stolen.
One of the store staff found the body when she arrived for work about 8:30 am. It is believed Miss Rigoni entered the store through the front door and that her killer may have done the same. There was no evidence of a break-in.
Police early today charged a 19 year old shop assistant with murder. He will appear in the Wangaratta Magistrates Court this morning.
- The Age (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) Thursday May 4 1978 by Mark Brolly.
