“It’s been more than six years since Monika Chetty’s suspicious death shocked the community and we all want to find out how such a crime could have happened,” Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott said as he announced the reward.
“On behalf of the NSW Government, I hope this reward will help in some way to find those responsible so her family can get the much-needed answers.”
Ms Chetty’s son, Daniel Chetty, said it had been hard to not have the answers about his mother for more than six years.
“It has been really hard not having my mum here for special occasions and milestones,” he told a press conference.
Liverpool City Police Area Commander, Superintendent Adam Whyte, (left) with Monika Chetty's son, Daniel (centre). Source: SBS
"We have no clue what happened. We want some sort of information, anything small or big; anything just to help us with this. It’s messed up with a couple of our siblings. All three of us, we’re trying to figure out what’s going on – my Dad as well."
"The way we dealt with it is just harder than it seems like. We tried out best but it’s still not as good. It’s too much to bear with. Try to think about how it feels like losing a mother without any information, or any type of small detail about where she went, or what happened. It’s traumatising," he said.
'Burns to her face'
On Friday evening, 3rd January 2014, Liverpool police responded to reports of a woman needing assistance.
Thirty-nine-year-old Monika Chetty, a qualified nurse, was found lying in a bushland reserve at West Hoxton, Sydney, suffering chemical burns to 80 per cent of her body.
She died 28 days later in the burns unit at Concord Hospital.
A $500,000 reward has been announced for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Monika Chetty’s death. Source: NSW Police
'The ethical thing to do'
David Elliot said that her son, Daniel, wants answers when it comes to the reasons and motives regarding his mother’s death.
"The fact that we are now in a position to increase the reward, the fact that we are continuing with the investigation that is over six years old proves positive, in my mind, that New South Wales police do not let go," he said.
"Anybody with information that could be of interest to police is very much encouraged to come forward. In my mind it’s the ethical thing to do, it’s the right thing to do.”
Detective Superintendent Adam Whyte, Liverpool City Police Area Commander said he hopes the reward will provide an incentive for the community to come forward.
"Someone out there heard, saw or knows something and what we’d like to do is get someone before the courts in relation to this horrific death of Monika."
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Lanlo investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
