Emil Petrov charged over murder of his ex-wife Cindy Crossthwaite

A man has faced court charged with the murder of his ex-wife, Melbourne mother of three Cindy Crossthwaite, more than 12 years ago. 

Emil Petrov, 55, faced a brief hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court today after being arrested at a Tottenham business.

He shook his head and said “no” as one charge of murder was read.

The couple’s daughter Jesmine Crossthwaite-Petrov, now aged in her 20s, watched on.

Outside court she described a whirlwind of emotion, grappling with the loss of her mum and now the arrest of her dad.

"I feel like my whole world has revolved around this moment, this day this justice that's going to be served," she said.

Police claim Cindy Crossthwaite, 41, a mother-of-three, was murdered in the hallway of her Melton South home, with her baby boy in the room next door.

She'd been telling friends of strange circumstances and fears she was being stalked.

Ms Crossthwaite was found dead by her father at her Melton South home on June 20, 2007.

An autopsy revealed she died from head injuries.

Too emotional to speak on camera today, Phillip Crossthwaite thanked police for not giving up on his daughter's cold case.

In 2017, police announced a $1 million reward for information in relation to Ms Crossthwaite's death and that reward remains on offer.

Mr Petrov will remain in custody, and reappear in court in October.