Priest ruled out in Vic cold case murder

A parish priest who died more than a decade ago has been ruled out as a suspect in one of Victoria's oldest cold case murder investigations.

Father Anthony Bongiorno was regularly reported as a key suspect in the murder of mother-of-two Maria James on June 17, 1980, inside her Thornbury bookshop.

"Homicide Squad detectives can confirm that Father Bongiorno, who died on February 15, 2002, has been eliminated as a suspect through a variety of investigative techniques," Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Bailey said on Saturday.

"The investigation has produced other avenues of inquiry, which are currently being pursued."

Ms James, 38, was stabbed 68 times by her killer, who is believed to have left traces of their blood at the scene.

The murder was overheard by Ms James's husband, who she had been talking to on the phone.

It was Father Bongiorno who informed Ms James's sons, Adam and Mark, who were 11 and 13 at the time, of their mother's murder.

He was questioned by police after the murder, though not as a suspect.

"The James family, while being disappointed that the matter has not been resolved, are pleased that the Homicide Squad is continuing to pursue every lead available," Detective Sergeant Bailey said.