The Murder of Alicia O'Reilly

Alicia O'Reilly was found murdered in her bed at the family home on Canal Road, Avondale, on the morning of 16 August 1980. The killing shocked New Zealand and triggered a large inquiry, but no offender was identified.

The original inquiry

Police questioned hundreds of people who lived or worked in the area and collected forensic material from the scene. DNA profiling did not yet exist as an investigative tool, and many original samples were later destroyed. For decades, the lack of a viable forensic path was a major obstacle.

A forensic breakthrough

During a later review, investigators located preserved slides and a swab created at the time of Alicia's post-mortem. Testing produced a full male DNA profile. Police said the profile did not match anyone then held on the national DNA database, turning the inquiry into a process of elimination.

In 2020, Auckland City CIB began a full re-investigation under Operation Sturbridge. Investigators revisited original statements, potential persons of interest and forensic evidence. More than one thousand men connected to the original area inquiry were identified for possible DNA elimination.

Investigative genetic genealogy

In 2023, New Zealand Police and ESR announced a trial of forensic investigative genetic genealogy on two serious cold cases, including Operation Sturbridge. The technique compares crime-scene DNA with genetic relationships found through genealogy research and databases, subject to New Zealand's legal and privacy framework.

On the 45th anniversary of Alicia's murder in August 2025, Police confirmed that no one had been held accountable and that the investigation was continuing. Detectives said they were methodically working through the genetic genealogy trial and remained hopeful that scientific advances could identify the offender.