POLICE have offered a $100,000 reward to try to flush out the murderer of Melville grandmother Valeria Fermendjin.

Ms Fermendjin is believed to have been killed in her Leach Highway home between 7.30 and 8.30am on Tuesday January 5, probably after disturbing one or more burglars rifling through her possessions. Her body was found two days later by her daughter.

• Valeria Fermendjin’s missing handbag looked like this.

Assistant commissioner Michelle Fyfe says a distinctive Russian-made black handbag was taken and could provide police with a clue.

“It is embossed on both sides, has a zip top and a metal buckle and we ask anyone who may know its whereabout to contact police,” commissioner Fyfe said.

Ms Fermendjin’s family released a statement thanking police for the reward and urged anyone holding back information to come forward.

“This was a cowardly act on a 70-year-old grandmother and it will be of some consolation to family and friends to see the killer caught,” the statement said.