Police charge man over murder of another man in Lakemba 20 years ago

A man accused of a 20-year-old murder was motivated by jealousy after having a relationship with his alleged victim’s estranged wife, police say.

Gofal Baziad, 52, was arrested in Sydney’s south-west yesterday and charged over the murder of Jason Palmer in February 2004.

Police will allege Mr Baziad murdered Mr Palmer because he wanted to rekindle his relationship with Mr Palmer’s wife.

Mr Palmer and his wife separated briefly before his death in 2004, according to police.

During their separation, police say she had a relationship with Mr Baziad.

After she broke things off with Mr Baziad and reunited with her husband, police allege Mr Baziad murdered Mr Palmer.

NSW Homicide Squad Commander Danny Doherty said this was a “domestic-related homicide”.

“(Mr Baziad) had been in a relationship with Mr Palmer’s wife… the motive was to continue the relationship with that person,” Superintendent Doherty said.

“We will allege in court that he was very jealous of her and very possessive and obsessed with her.

There is no suggestion Mr Palmer’s wife had any knowledge or involvement in her husband’s murder.

Mr Palmer was 34 years old when he disappeared after leaving his Belfield home on February 8, 2004.

Three weeks later, his body was found in the Nepean River at Menangle weighed down by rocks.

A post-mortem examination found he was killed by multiple stab wounds, but police were unable to charge anyone over his murder.