Fresh push to solve mystery surrounding opal miner's death
There's a fresh push to find out what happened to an opal miner whose decomposed body was found near his campsite at Lightning Ridge in NSW in 1995.
Paul Murray's naked body was found in scrub by two graziers about two kilometres from his camp site on 22 April, 1995.
The 40-year-old was last seen alive on March 19, by a local, who had driven him to a location just outside of town at Murray's request.
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Paul Murray was last seen alive on March 19, 1995. Supplied/NSW Police
Police believe something "sinister" happened to Murray and are now offering a $500,000 reward for information into his death, hoping to give his family some closure.
His siblings have struggled to live without knowing what happened to the "generous" man.
"He was a kind and generous man who helped people in Lightning Ridge financially, only asking that they repay him when their situation improved," his sister Rosemary Pearse said.
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Reward increased to $500,000 for 1995 death of Paul Murray Nine
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Younger brother Simon Murray said feared his beloved sibling may have been preyed on.
"He had cognitive issues, he had impairments and people knowingly took advantage of my brother," Simon said.
Detective Chief Inspector David Laidlaw said he believed he was met with "sinister play".
"He would always have a little black book with him, where he would record that money that was paid out and the money that was repaid to him," Laidlaw said.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers.
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