Cold case breakthrough in stabbing death of Andrew Podpinka

Cold case detectives say they are making breakthroughs in the 22-year mystery of what happened to disabled Morley man Andrew Podpinka, who was found stabbed to death in his home.

Investigators are using new forensic techniques in a bid to crack open the case and are confident they are closing in on the killer.

Mr Podpinka was alone in his Hannans Street house on March 4, 1999, when he was set upon.

He was last seen alive at 2.45pm that day, when he collected his mail. He was dead in a pool of blood when his wife, Margaret, and daughter, Anna, returned home from shopping at 3.45pm.

“Mr Podpinka was sitting in his own home, while his family were out shopping, when he was viciously attacked,” Det-Sgt Kevin Glynn said.

“This was a terrible crime inflicted on a person who was physically vulnerable and was unable to defend himself.”

Mr Podpinka, who was born in Poland, made Australia home but his life was beset with illness.

He had a bad back, gallstones were removed, there were injections for pelvic pain, plus frequent rehabilitation. As a result, he lived on a pension.

“It was violent and unnecessary, and we will not give up until we find who did this to him,” Det-Sgt Glynn said.

Anna Podpinka, who was 19 when her father died, told The West Australian about the horrific day in an interview in 1999.

“I’m scared every time someone walks behind me,” she said. “Every time you hear someone walking quickly you just turn around and you’re scared.

“You can’t do that to someone so defenceless,” she said.

“It’s like hurting a baby. That’s what it’s like. My dad just didn’t have a chance at all. That’s why it’s very painful. Why would you do that to someone in so much pain?”

Police are urging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.