A half-million-dollar reward has been offered to anyone who can help solve a 41-year-old Queensland cold-case murder.
On Father's Day, September 6, 1981, Deborah Anne Smykalla was found strangled to death with a dog leash in the kitchen of her home in Capalaba just before 10pm.
Police believe someone attempted to set the house on Howlett Road alight after the killing, as they found an overturned heater on the carpet and a smouldering fire.
Homicide detectives and the 22-year-old's family hope the $500,000 reward will encourage anyone with vital information to come forward.
Detectives are seeking information in relation to a motorbike, possibly a 250cc or 500cc road trail bike that was witnessed at the address.
On the day of the murder at approximately 4pm, Deborah was seen in her yard with a man described as being in his early 20s, with a slim build and short brown hair.
At about 7:30pm, two people were seen sitting on the front porch.
Police say they would like to speak with those people or anyone with information about their identities.
Dog lead undergoes new DNA testing
In September 2014, Crime Stoppers received anonymous online information "regarding specific information about the person responsible for Deborah's death", and detectives are appealing for the person who submitted it to come forward again.
Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell, of Homicide's Cold Case Investigation Team, launched the fresh public appeal which, coupled with modern forensic techniques, police hope will lead to the cracking open of the case.
"As part of the review we are utilising new and enhanced forensic DNA testing on the dog lead that was located around Deborah's neck," she said.
"Testing is currently underway in New Zealand's Institute of Environmental Science and Research.
The $500,000 Queensland government reward is for "information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this murder".
