Purana Taskforce detectives in Melbourne have charged a man over the 2003 murder of a prominent gangland identity known as “The Munster”.

Graham Kinniburgh, 62, was shot outside his home on Belmont Avenue in the suburb of Kew on December 13.

At the time, police said Kinniburgh was professionally ambushed and executed in front of members of his family.

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Witnesses reported seeing a dark-coloured Hyundai Excel leaving the scene after hearing the gun shots.

A 55-year-old man from the Geelong suburb of Anakie has been charged with one count of murder in relation to the death.

It is believed the man is an inmate in Barwon Prison.

Victoria Police said the charges were the culmination of “an extensive, protracted and complex investigation”.

Underworld figure Lewis Moran attended Graham Kinniburgh’s funeral in 2003. Photo: AAP

“As there are now matters before the courts, we are unable to comment further,” police said in a statement.

The man is due to face court in January next year.

Kinniburgh was part of the Painters and Dockers gang connected to the Moran family.

Patriarch Lewis Moran was shot at the Brunswick Club in March 2004.

His son Jason and another man were shot while they sat in a van full of children in the carpark of a hotel in Essendon North in June 2003.

Brother Mark Moran was also killed in 2000.

Kinniburgh was an associate of Alphonse Gangitano, whose killing in 1998 is believed to have marked the start of the gangland wars.

More than 30 people were killed in the underworld violence that spanned almost a decade.