Oliver Gobat.
THE ADVERTISER - The family of a former British businessman brutally murdered in the Caribbean has told of fresh heartache amid claims that police blunders and government bureaucracy is hampering the case.
The execution of millionaire hotelier Oliver Gobat, 38, remains unsolved a year after the suspected professional hit on the paradise island of St Lucia.
Detectives believe the killing is linked to a legitimate, multi-million dollar property deal but which threatened a local drugs and money laundering gang.
Ahead of Saturday’s 12-month anniversary of his murder, his grieving family, including Adelaide-raised mother, Helen, 67, and her British husband Theo, 76, revealed their continuing trauma.
They are highly critical of local police blunders and British government red tape, which they believe are hampering the investigation into the “solvable” crime.
“It is… very sad and Ollie does not deserve to be neglected in this way,” Mrs Gobat told The Advertiser.
“His family and friends are still suffering from the trauma and shock of his death and there will be no closure or resolution until or unless his evil murderers are apprehended. Only some justice will begin to compensate for his death.”
Friends and some family will attend a special candlelight vigil tonight on the island not far from where his charred body was found in his torched Range Rover Evoque.
Mr Gobat, known as “Ollie”, who founded the Next Generation gym in North Adelaide and Hindley Street-based Vodka Bar, had been shot twice in the head, doused in aviation fuel and set alight.
His body was “burnt beyond recognition” and was only later identified by his golf shoes. Such was the fire’s ferocity authorities initially believed it was a bushfire.
Authorities believe the brutal nature of the successful entrepreneur’s death — on a remote track 2km from a family-owned luxury hotel located on the northern coast — points to a contract killing.
A British inquest last month heard he had received death threats and was on the cusp of securing a $10.2m (£5.4m) investment in The Landings, a property deal with a consortium of businessmen.
The family, who now travel with a security detail amid fears they may be targets, have offered a $AU200,000 reward and hired a private investigator,
They have pleaded with the British government to send police to help solve the murder after a “questionable” local investigation.
The federal police have also asked by the family to assist, as Mr Gobat was an Australian citizen.
St Lucia police have not commented on the case.