By CASEY NEILL
MURDERED mother Geck Gov’s workmates at Coolabah Herbs in Pearcedale have described her as generous and selfless.
It wasn’t until daybreak on 6 February that someone saw her lying in her driveway in Theodore Avenue, Noble Park – 45 minutes after she received multiple stab wounds to her upper torso.
She’d bled to death.
Homicide Squad Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Bailey on Monday appealed for public help to solve the “brutal, unprovoked and distressing attack”.
Investigators reviewing CCTV footage spotted a vehicle travelling west along Knox Street, about 200 metres from the crime scene, at 5.52am.
This was seven minutes after neighbours heard Ms Gov scream and saw someone run east along Theodore Avenue, toward Knox Street.
“It’s not known whether the occupants are in fact involved in this crime, or could be valuable witnesses that police are yet to identify,” Det Sen Sgt Bailey said.
Victoria Police Vehicle Examination Unit experts believe the van is a Toyota HiAce or a Mitsubishi L300 and is used commercially.
Experts have been unable to date the van, and both suspected models have changed little in more than 20 years.
“We’re looking at thousands of cars, that’s why we really need the public’s assistance,” he said.
“This is the most important lead we’ve had at this point in time.”
Ms Gov’s son Charlie, 27, also worked at Coolabah Herbs.
“In December of last year she was promoted to a team leader,” Det Sen Sgt Bailey said.
“We’ve spoken to many of Geck’s colleagues, about 40 people who work at Coolabah Herbs.
“She would pick up a lot of her work colleagues on a daily basis to get them to work and then drop them off.”
Charlie left for work before Ms Gov on the day of her murder.
“He was surprised when she didn’t turn up for work that morning, and also other workers hadn’t been picked up so the alarm bells started ringing,” he said.
“That’s when Charlie has returned to the home and police were already present.”
Det Sen Sgt Bailey said it appeared the murder was an armed robbery gone wrong.
“It was known within the Cambodian and Vietnamese community that Geck used to carry cash and jewellery instead of leaving it at home, and as a result of this we believe somebody has targeted her,” he said.
“Geck was stabbed multiple times to the upper torso. We are yet to find the murder weapon. We believe it’s most likely a knife.
“It’s hard to know whether she was stabbed initially to subdue her to get her possessions or, in fact, that she’s fought for her possessions and as a result the offender’s stabbed her.”
Charlie was Ms Gov’s only child. She was born in Cambodia in 1961, arrived in Australia as an immigrant in 1997 and last year became an Australian citizen.
Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au with any information.
