Police seek man in Gertsch murder

A ruby-earringed man may be able to help police investigating the unsolved 1990 murder of gay millionaire Ludwig Gertsch.

Police believe the earringed man visited Gertsch at an apartment in Ashfield the last night he was seen alive, and are seeking his assistance.

The man would have been about 35 years old in 1990, and was described as approximately 183cm tall and of slim to medium build. He was Mediterranean or Eastern European in appearance, with dark brown hair that was full at the front and flicked back to one side, and short at the back and sides.

Most importantly, Detective Leading Senior Constable Charles Fountain believes, the man was wearing a ruby earring in his left ear and a round gold-face watch with a black band on his right hand.

Gertsch was last seen at his lover Vincent Esposito’s home at unit 2, 131 Frederick Street, Ashfield, on Friday 19 October 1990. He was found dead in bushland near Springwood in November that year.

In 1994 a coroner found Gertsch had been strangled by an unknown person in the unit, but the case was reopened last year with the advent of DNA testing.

At a press conference yesterday Constable Fountain said the man was not considered a suspect, but as someone who might provide information in relation to particular people’s movements at the time in question.

We appeal to him, appeal to his conscience and to people who knew him to come forward and assist us, Fountain said, adding members of the gay community could be particularly helpful in this case.

Constable Fountain said it was not known whether the man they are seeking is still within the country, or whether he is a member of the gay community.

The man (or anyone who may know him) is asked to phone 9365 9625 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.