The Crucifix

The investigation into the murder of Margaret Ma in Summerton had also gone cold. A year and a half passed with no breakthroughs. Then, at 7pm on Monday, April 19, 1999, Rina Hoffman approached the weatherboard cottage rented by her good friend, Nicole Patterson. 28-year-old Nicole worked from home in the suburb of Northcott, a short distance from Melbourne CBD. She was naked from the waist to down, with her underwear looped around one ankle. Her cardigan was pushed up, revealing what appeared to be an orange or yellow top underneath. The carpet around Nicole's body was soaked red, and deep gaseous were visible along her wrists.