Police have announced a $1 million reward for information that will help to solve the violent murder of a low-level drug dealer in a Melbourne park eight years ago.
The charred remains of James Russouw were found behind the Burwood East reserve just before 11.30pm on March 7, 2008.
The 24-year-old's throat was slit, and his body doused in petrol and set alight in his four-wheel drive.
Hours before his death, the budding DJ had been at his brother's home in Box Hill and left to visit a friend - he never arrived.
At an inquest into his death in 2013, the coroner found Russouw received a call, picked up an unknown passenger and drove to the Burwood East reserve, where someone cut his throat with a kitchen knife.
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Police believe Russouw could have been carrying at least $10,000 on him at the time, money that has never been found.
He was known to frequent the reserve and was considered a low level cannabis dealer.
Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Mick Hughes said video footage of a phone box at the East Burwood Kmart, released on Sunday, may help police solve the "frustrating" crime.
"The smallest piece of information could help solve this crime, so we are asking anyone who knows anything to come forward," he told reporters on Sunday.
He said police had exhausted all leads and while they still had some suspects on their radar, couldn't do anything more without more evidence.
Russouw's mother Lorna said knowing who was responsible for her son's death would bring some peace to her family.
"It will give us some peace and enable us to move forward," she said on Sunday.
His father Cecil broke down when asked how the past years had been for him.
"It's never easy," he said.
"I don't think we'll ever get closure, it might help a bit, but never closure."
A reward of up to $1 million will be paid, at the discretion of the chief commissioner of police, for information leading to the arrest and subsequent conviction of those responsible.
Those who come forward could also be indemnified from prosecution and protected by a deed of confidentiality.
