By Tara Murray
Police are seeking to speak to anyone that may have information about the death of Melton teenager Alana Cecil nearly 30 years ago.
Alana was found dead on November 10, 1996, with the coroner determining the 16-year-old’s cause of death was heroin toxicity with acute asthma.
Alana had previously been in rehab for drug issues, with a toxicology report finding there had been no drugs in her system for three months prior to her death.
DNA from two men was also found on Alana and wasn’t matched until six years later.
Last month, Star Weekly reported that police had decided to reopen an investigation into Alana’s death.
Local detectives are reviewing the original investigation and the coronial inquest finding to determine whether there are any new avenues of inquiry.
Last week, police said they would like to speak to anyone with information in relation to Alana’s death, particularly a person who previously submitted information anonymously.
Alana’s dad Peter has always believed his daughter was murdered and pushed for the case to be reopened.
In January, Peter told Star Weekly he had mixed emotions about the latest investigation.
“I feel positive, but it’s been explained to me that all stops are out in terms of a thorough investigation,” he said.
“The family is desperate for the answers.
“I love my daughter. If she was here, she’d be fighting for herself.
“It’s been so long so nothing is guaranteed and I understand that, the family just wants closure, and a proper chance to grieve.”
Light has been shone on Alana’s case through New Zealand-based podcaster Ryan Wolf and his series, Guilt, which was released last year.
Last year, Wolf told Star Weekly that he really connected with Alana’s case.
He said he felt like he was getting to know Alana even though he has never met her.
In a podcast update released in January, Wolf said he had provided police with information and assistance in their investigation.
“Throughout the final months of my investigation, I had been working increasingly closely with Victorian Police on new developments in the case, evidence that I did not include in the podcast,” he said.
“At this point, I felt the appropriate move was to pass this new evidence onto police so that they may use their vast resources to investigate further.
“I firmly believed that these leads were the strongest in the case to date, and that the truth of what happened to Alana was finally, after 28 years, getting very close.”
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
For more on Alana’s story: meltonmoorabool.starweekly.com.au/news/what-happened-to-alana/
