Thirty-three-year-old Larry Weber was a shy, easygoing bachelor who lived in a house on Kelletts Road, Rowville, in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. He worked as an IT professional, valued his routines, and aspired to a simple life: a steady job, his own home, and eventually a wife and family. Friends and colleagues remembered him as meticulous, with everything in his house and garage having its designated spot, and non-confrontational. He would walk away from trouble rather than escalate it.
On the night of May 28th, 2002, Larry returned home from a local dance studio, where he had enrolled in classes to meet people and build confidence after a recent breakup. As was his habit, he likely stepped onto his front porch for a final cigarette before bed around ten p.m. That routine may have made him an easy target for someone who had been watching.
A passing motorist discovered Weber’s body around ten forty-five p.m. in a neighbor’s driveway. Pathologist Malcolm Dodd quickly determined this was no accident. Larry had been tortured before death. He suffered nearly thirty stab wounds, primarily to the head, face, and neck. His throat was slashed, and the knife was driven through his skull with such force that it split bone. Superficial “taunting” cuts suggested the killer played with his victim, attempting to provoke a fight that never came: the victim had few defensive wounds.
After the killing, the murderer dragged Larry’s body across the lawn and ran over it with Larry’s own car, an act investigators viewed as a final humiliating gesture. The car keys were found nearby. There were no signs of forced entry at the home, and despite the busy road, no witnesses immediately came forward. The attacker left no obvious forensic evidence and took the murder weapon.
Police soon focused on a man connected to Larry through a brief romantic relationship. In December 2001, Larry had begun dating a woman whose former partner, referred to in some reports as Mr. Higgins or identified in court as Craig Gorman, reacted with extreme jealousy.
The conflict escalated after a confrontation in Nunawading. Higgins allegedly dragged Larry Weber from his car, assaulted him (breaking a tooth), and damaged the vehicle. Larry reported the incident to police and pressed assault charges. Higgins, a medical professional, reportedly visited Larry ’s home multiple times, demanding to speak to the woman and later offering compensation to drop the complaint. Larry also claimed ongoing harassment, including sightings of Higgins’ car near his home and threatening phone calls.
Larry lived in fear. He kept police numbers handy, stored a block of wood in his garage for protection, and confided in family and friends about being followed. His mother, Verna, recalled his terror. The relationship with the woman ended partly due to this pressure, but Larry remained determined to see the charges through, viewing it as a matter of right and wrong.
An inquest in 2010 heard evidence from Larry’s former girlfriend, who described her ex as jealous and possessive. She recounted the initial assault and confirmed the stalking. Larry’s sister, Anita, noted her brother’s frustration with police, who reportedly told him to “be a man.” Higgins denied involvement in the murder, providing an alibi that included buying KFC and staying home, though detectives found inconsistencies (such as an unused computer that night).
Homicide detectives concluded that Larry’s murder was likely premeditated and driven by personal hatred. A $100,000 reward was offered in 2005. In 2017, police renewed appeals, believing informants could help solve the case. They sought information about an older model red Commodore possibly linked to the crime.
Despite extensive investigation, including analysis of phone records and emails, no one has been charged. The case was examined at a coronial inquest, but it yielded no resolution.
As of this writing in June 2026, the slaying of Larry Weber is still unresolved.
Crime Immemorial 