Police are closing in on the killer of Mum Kylie Blackwood after discovering CCTV footage of a suspicious car just metres from her home on the day she was killed.

The head of the Homicide Squad, Detective Inspector Mick Hughes showed a determined resolve when he told a packed media conference,  “We’re coming for you — that’s the message to this offender.”

Police say the footage, of a white late-model Nissan Tiida with a rear spoiler, is “a significant breakthrough” in the case – about 900 such vehicles are owned across Victoria.

Detectives plan on investigating 30 owners in Pakenham, where Ms Blackwood lived.  Then widening their search to owners in the whole southeastern suburban area; then to the rest, statewide.

“If we have to go through all 900 owners, we will,” Det Insp Hughes said. “But I think we’re going to be catching up with him a lot sooner than that. When we got this, the consensus was this was the key evidence to finally get our man.If anyone — even if they have previously called us — can match the person in the FACE image with someone who has access, or owns, such a car, please get in touch again.

“The community has been tremendous, and I think there are one or two people out there who may have given us a name, and will now be able to match that person to this car. We really need them to help us now and get in touch.”

Ms Blackwood, 42, was found dead in her home in McCaffery Rise, Pakenham, by her twin 11-year-old daughters when they returned from school at 3.40pm on August 1, 2013.

Police believe the killer entered the home through a raised garage door around noon – around the time the car in question was seen in the area.  A short time later, the same car was spotted again leaving the area.

Police also believe that the killer attempted to use Ms Blackwood’s bank card to withdraw money from an ATM in Main St, Pakenham, between 12.30 and 2.30pm that day.

Det Insp Hughes said the key to solving the disturbing crime was the car and a released digital image of a man wearing a striped hooded top.

“The vehicle was seen in the area around the time Kylie arrived home and is again observed leaving shortly after police believe the murder took place,” Det Insp Hughes said. “Police believe the vehicle was in the area from around midday to early that afternoon,” Det Insp Hughes said.

“We would now like to speak to anyone who can draw a connection between that image of the unknown man and anyone who may have owned or had access to the late-model white Nissan Tiida sedan. Previous callers to Crime Stoppers are strongly urged to call again if the image of the vehicle assists them further.

“Someone out there holds the key to solving this murder and we are once again appealing for public help to … bring some closure to the Blackwood family.”

The man is described as being about 177cm tall, of medium build with a muscular upper body.

He was wearing loose-fitting black pants and a striped hooded top.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS URGED TO CONTACT CRIME STOPPERS ON 1800 333 000 OR SUBMIT A CONFIDENTIAL REPORT ATCRIMESTOPPERSVIC.COM.AU

Image source: Victoria Police News and Shutterstock.

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