Mr Virgona's 17-year-old son Luca, accompanied by his mother Antonietta, on Wednesday appealed for anyone with information about the death to come forward and talk to police. "My father Paul Virgona was the most dedicated and honest man I know. He always devoted time to his family no matter how busy he was," he said. "The charisma and humour he brought to life were infectious and he was loved by many as a result." Luca said his father was a unique, hardworking man who inspired his family to fulfil their dreams. Luca Virgona, accompanied by his mother Antonietta, appeals for information about his father's death. Credit:Scott McNaughton "The tragic events that have occurred have removed an innocent and well-respected man from this earth. My greatest role model in life is now gone and we are left to pick up the pieces of our broken family.

"The death of my father has left us distraught and will forever do so as this is a life sentence. "No amount of effort, pleading or goodwill bring him back and the shock of these actions will never cease as it is now embedded in our family and our lives." Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video The last time Luca saw his father was the night before the murder. The pair talked excitedly about football and Mr Virgona's new role as a local footy coach at the Croydon Football and Netball Club. Luca said he would miss being able to talk "so openly" with his father, who shared his passion for sport.

Police say after Mr Virgona was shot, the killers dumped and torched the stolen Mercedes on Jaxlee Close in Mooroolbark, before the killers jumped in a Volkswagen Amarok. The Volkswagen Amarok abandoned on Mountain Highway in Bayswater. Credit:AAP However, their escape plan was interrupted when police on night patrol spotted the Amarok on Windermere Drive in Ferntree Gully and gave chase about 3.10am. Police followed the vehicle until it was dumped near Mountain Highway and Scoresby Road in Bayswater and two men ran into nearby parkland. The police air wing, dog squad and critical response team searched the area, but lost track of the pair at 3.17am. Two months after Mr Virgona's death, police on Wednesday revealed that a Nike jumper, believed to have been dropped by one of the men as he fled, was found in the park.

A photo of the black and grey jumper, sized medium, which has a distinctive chunky zip down the left side, has been released in the hope someone recognises it and knows the owner. A Nike jumper that police believe was left behind in parkland by one of the offenders. Credit:Victoria Police Police found a number of items of clothing across multiple crime scenes, and have collected CCTV footage which has captured the cars used in the attack. They confirmed on Wednesday they have a number of persons of interest, who are likely to have links to organised crime. Head of the homicide squad, Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper, said that two months after the incident, police were still trying to establish a motive.

"Everything about this shooting indicates that it was a targeted attack, however we’re still no closer to understanding why someone wanted to shoot Paul," he said. Police conduct a line search at Dandenong Creek in Bayswater after Mr Virgona was found dead in a van on EastLink. Credit:AAP "Over the past couple of months, investigators have spent time going through Paul’s life – his family, his associates, his financial situation, really anything that could possibly give us a clue about why someone wanted to do this to him. "So far there is nothing that stands out to us. Paul was loved by his family and friends and by everyone’s account who we have spoken with, was a great person who was well liked in the community." Police have not ruled out the possibility it was a case of mistaken identity, but believe it is a less likely scenario.

"If he was [leading a double life] he was doing it extremely well. There it nothing that we have found that would indicate that ... our best and brightest in Victoria Police have found nothing," Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper. Mr Virgona's son said media speculation about why his father might have been targeted had been hurtful for the family. "This seems to be entirely based on his work in the markets. This speculation is not based in any facts, and feeds rumour and innuendo which is hurtful for us as a family," Luca said. Antonietta and Luca Virgona, with Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper. Credit:Scott McNaughton "There are people out there who know why this happened to my father. All I ask is that anyone who has information come forward to help us find some sense of justice in a situation where there is none."

Mr Virgona was preparing to move out of the fruit business at the time of his death. Detective Inspector Stamper described the incident as a "brutal execution in a public place" which "shocked Melbourne and rightfully so". "The key thing we need to know is why." Police say there was no indication in the days prior that Mr Virgona was in danger or worried for his safety. Detectives say the killers waited for Mr Virgona, and deliberately followed his vehicle on to EastLink.

“This is very different from criminals who will indiscriminately shoot into houses or vehicles; someone has wanted to fire into his van," said Detective Inspector Stamper. The two getaway cars used by the hitmen were both stolen in the days before the shooting, indicating that it was a planned execution, police sources said. Homicide squad detectives are also still appealing to anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage who is yet to speak to police to come forward. They particularly want to speak to anyone residing or travelling in the vicinity of Marie Wallace Bayswater Park, with investigators keen to obtain any footage from the area where the men ran into the park.

Anyone travelling in the suburbs of Croydon, Ringwood, Donvale, Mooroolbark, Wantirna, Bayswater, Boronia and Ferntree Gully on November 9 between 1am and 3.30am is asked to check their dash cam for vehicles with the following registrations: The Mercedes sedan with number plates AZE 110

Mr Virgona's white VW van with the plates ABE 158, and

The VW grey Amarok, registered 1MC 9PG Mr Virgona was found dead in the driver's seat of his white van on EastLink. Credit:Nine News Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.