A breakthrough has been made in the decades-old case of Melinda Freeman’s death, as a man has been charged in connection with the 1991 incident near Melbourne.

This morning, police apprehended a 63-year-old man from Greensborough, leading to his subsequent charge of murder following an interrogation by authorities.

The victim, 27-year-old Melinda Freeman, was discovered deceased on the evening of October 4, 1991, at her residence on Yea Road in Whittlesea.

Earlier that day, Freeman had attended a family reunion with her husband.

After returning home around 4 p.m., the couple shared dinner, marking the last known events before her tragic death.

At about 11.30pm that night, her husband returned home and unlocked the back door, whereon he noticed the house appeared to have been ransacked and the front door was open.

He walked to the bottom of the stairs and from there, saw Freeman’s body on the top storey landing.

Police believe she had been fatally assaulted.

In February 2022, police announced a $1 million reward for information leading to the conviction of Freeman’s killer.

Police today said they will allege Freeman and the 63-year-old man arrested today were known to each other.