Kevin Pearce, 45, was the operator of a freight distribution business when he was shot from close range on the night of April 15, 1985.

A bullet from the sniper’s high-powered .308 hunting rifle went through Pearce’s left arm and shattered against his ribs, with a fragment lodging against his spine.

Three mates and colleagues who were with him at the time were so shocked by the wound they tried to stop the bleeding with a roll of toilet paper.

They never saw the sniper scamper away into the darkness.

Pearce died in hospital three weeks later.

Whispers about the shooting circulated following Pearce’s death, however, 25 years on the person who pulled the trigger, ultimately killing the father of three, remains a mystery.

A 2007 report by John Silvester in the Bendigo Advertiser’s sister paper The Age reported that Pearce’s former business partner Bill Matthews was the prime suspect.

In 1982, Pearce joined Matthews and Barry Coates to form Bendigo-based business CMP Trucking Contractors to carry freight and mail to northern Victoria.

Matthews was a ruthless, self-made man and the partners argued from the start, Silvester reported.

Coates bailed out after a year.

Pearce followed in his footsteps and opted out of the partnership in 1984.

The one-time partners were now competitors.

In June 1986, Coroner Hal Hallenstein held an inquest into Pearce’s death.

“One would have to conclude that it (the murder) was carried out by a person who had some knowledge of Mr Pearce’s routine.

“It was a well-planned and clearly calculated operation.

“My formal findings on this matter are that Kevin Hugh Pearce was shot by or by the arrangement and organisation of William James Matthews.”

Mr Hallenstein ruled Matthews should stand trial, however, the Director of Public Prosecutions reviewed the case and the charges were withdrawn.

Forensic testing of cigarette butts found at the scene of the crime was undertaken in 2002.

Matthews was not a smoker and the DNA was not his.

The whispers might have been rampant, but police have never been able to find enough evidence to solve the mystery of who killed Kevin Hugh Pearce.

Pearce’s family is using the 25th anniversary of his murder as an opportunity to appeal to anyone in the community who may know more about what happened on the night of April 15, 1985.

A yellow car was seen leaving the area around the time Pearce was shot.

Anyone with information about the murder can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au