The Toyota LandCruiser belonging to Cairns man Marko Jekic
Name:
Marko JEKIC
Last seen:
April 1989
Year of Birth:
1945
Sex:
Male
Eyes:
Brown
Hair:
Dark/Grey
Height:
180cm
Build:
Slim
Complexion:
Tanned
Circumstances:
JEKIC Marko aliases Marko JUKIC, Marko JOKIC, Marko JUGICH,
Michael JUKIC, Michael JOKIC and Michael JUGICH, DOB 21/01/1945 or
21/04/1945, last seen on 1/4/89 in Cairns when he was reported to be
travelling to Ingham and then onto Bowen.
Reward: $250,000
The 44-year-old opal dealer left Cairns with a briefcase of cash
on April 1 1989, with plans of conducting business deals through the Cassowary
Coast, but was never heard from again and police strongly suspect he met with
foul play.
Police have never revealed the nature of the “business deals” Mr
Jekic was involved in or his link to the associates he was due to meet with.
Detectives remain certain there were several people still living
in the region who
know what happened, but were being held back by “blind loyalty” or fear.
The cold case was reopened in late 2019 with a $250,000 reward
issued.
QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE REWARD:
The Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services has
approved a reward of $250,000 be offered for information which leads to the
apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the
suspected murder of Marko JEKIC on or about 1 April 1989 in Far North
Queensland.
INDEMNITY FROM PROSECUTION: In addition, an appropriate indemnity from
prosecution will be recommended for any accomplice, not being the person who
actually committed the crime, who first gives such information. The allocation
of the $250,000 reward will be at the sole discretion of the Commissioner of the
Police Service.
CIRCUMSTANCES: On 1 April 1989 Marko JEKIC departed Cairns, Queensland, in his
Toyota Landcruiser 4WD vehicle in possession of $125,000 in cash. He was last
spoken to at approximately 6pm on this same date. Evidence at hand suggests
Marko JEKIC was then murdered by persons/s unknown shortly thereafter.
Investigating Police have initiated an Investigation Centre at the Tully Police
Station to investigate the suspected murder of Marko JEKIC Any member of the
public with information which could assist Police is asked to contact:
• Homicide Investigation Unit, Brisbane, Phone (07) 3364 4150;
• any Police Station; or
• Crime Stoppers, Phone 1800 333 000.
Commissioner’s Office
I STEWART
BRISBANE COMMISSIONER
FNQ cold case: Marko Jekic murder still unsolved six months after
$250,000 reward announced
Someone in the Far North is keeping a murderous secret and
police say “blind loyalty” dating back 30 years is keeping them
quiet despite the victim’s partner desperately needing answers.
Grace Mason, The Cairns Post
|
SOMEONE in the Far North is keeping a murderous secret.
Whether it be due to loyalty or fear – police don’t know whether it is either or
both – it is a secret they have held on to for more than 30 years.
It has been more than six months since police
reopened the cold case, codenamed Operation Papa Glimmer, and announced a
$250,000 reward linked to the disappearance of Cairns man Marko Jekic, also
known as Mike Jekic, in 1989.
The 44-year-old opal dealer left Cairns with a briefcase of cash on April 1 with
plans of conducting business deals through the Cassowary Coast, but was never
heard from again and police strongly suspect he met with foul play.
Police have never revealed the nature of the “business deals” Mr Jekic was
involved in or his link to the associates he was due to meet with.
Since the announcement of the reward, Tully police detective Sergeant Steve
Watts revealed they were yet to receive a single call or piece of information
from the public, despite him being certain there were several people still
living in the region who know what happened.
“It’s more the blind loyalty from back in those days and why they still harbour
that loyalty, I don’t know,” he said.
“After 30 years, that certainly should have eroded by now.
“We believe we have already spoken to the person (who could provide the
information), but they’re not willing to.”
Mr Jekic, an immigrant from the former Yugoslavia, was carrying a briefcase full
of $125,000 when he left Cairns, where he lived with his de facto partner.
She still resides in Cairns and Sgt Watts said she remained desperate for
answers.
He was due to meet with people in El Arish, Ingham, Townsville and Bowen.
Police believe up to four people could have been involved in Mr Jekic’s murder
and some had since died, but at least one was still alive and living in north
Queensland.
Sgt Watts said they had previously attempted to contact Mr Jekic’s Yugoslavian
family, with no luck. He said Mr Jekic had been living in Cairns for at least
two years prior to his disappearance.
Mr Jekic’s disappearance came three days before Category 3 Cyclone Ava crossed
the coast between Townsville and Bowen, which police hoped could help prompt
people’s memories.
Anyone with information can contact police or anonymously call Crime Stoppers.
Marko
JEKIC
