It’s a mystery that has defied homicide detectives’ best efforts for three decades but now there’s hope the murder of Whyalla businessman Peter Seaford could be solved – if only an anonymous tipster would get back in touch with South Australia Police.

Peter Seaford, 31, was brutally murdered in his own home in the early hours of March 12, 1989, with the takings from the service station he part-owned also stolen.

Now police are calling on the person who contacted Crime Stoppers last month with some information about the death to make contact with them again – the second time in less than a year they have been tantalised by anonymous information.

In October last year an unidentified caller rang a random number and revealed details of the case to an astonished homeowner, aski9ng that the information be passed on to investigators.

Peter Seaford may have paid with his life after discovering the intruder’s identity. Photo: SA Police

“It would be of great benefit to the investigation if the person who provided this information was to make further contact with us,” Detective Senior Sergeant Schneemilch said of the latest call.

“They can do that via Crime Stoppers, or by calling Major Crime directly.”

Police believe Mr Seaford was killed after fighting with an intruder, pulling off a home-made balaclava and possibly identifying his attacker, who is believed to have fled with up to $1000 stolen from his premises.

Earlier that same morning, Mr Seaford had been lured to his business by someone who triggered an alarm by smashing a window.

“The injuries he’s suffered show this was a sustained attack and he’s fought back,” Detective Schneemilch said.

“He had quite a lot of defensive wounds on both arms.”

Police believe there may have been more than one person involved in the murder and have positive lines of inquiry, but say there is still a lot of work to be done “to join the dots”.

A person made contact with Crime Stoppers on 17 February on the website and provided information that suggested they have knowledge about the murder.

A reward of up to $200,000 will be paid by the SA government, at the discretion of the police commissioner, to anyone who provides information that leads to the conviction of the person or people responsible for Mr Seaford’s murder.

-with AAP