The reward for information regarding the 1995 death of Paul Murray at Lightning Ridge has been increased to $500,000 as the NSW Government and NSW Police Force work together to try and solve the case that has rocked the Lightning Ridge community for 27 years.

Paul Murray, 40 years of age, had moved from Sydney to fossick for opals in a claim located eight kilometres north-west of Lightning Ridge.

He was last seen alive on Sunday 19 March 1995 by friends, who had driven him to a location just outside of Lightning Ridge at Mr Murray's request.

Members of Paul's family reported him missing to police one week later, and an extensive search by Police and SES failed to locate him.

His campsite was undisturbed, his wallet containing some cash was still there, as were his shoes.

On Saturday 24 April his naked body was discovered by two graziers in scrub about two kilometres from his camp site.

A post- mortem examination of Mr Murray's body found no evidence of trauma or known cause of death. There were quite a few burrs in his feet indicating that he had walked at least part of the distance to the site of his death.

The murder- mystery was then referred to detectives from the State Crime Command's Unsolved Homicide Unit, who established Strike Force Huddleston to further investigate the death of Paul Murray.

ABOVE: Paul Murray was discovered dead by two graziers on April 22, 1995.

The Unsolved Homicide Unit's Chief Detective Inspector David Laidlaw said NSW Police are remaining open-minded into the causes of Mr Murray's death.

"Police have always kept an open mind as to the circumstances of his death and hope this reward can encourage the flow of new information," Det Ch Insp Laidlaw said.

Part of the investigation has focused on the whereabouts of Paul's 'little black book' where he kept records of who he had loaned money to, from an amount he'd received after a serious motorcycle accident when he was a teenager left him with permanent brain impairment.

ABOVE: Paul Murray's sister Rosemary.

Paul's sister, Rosemary Pearse highlighted Paul's generosity.

"Paul was a kind and generous man, who helped out many people in Lightning Ridge financially and just asked to be repaid when they could."

"Paul deserves justice in tracking down the people responsible," she said.

Rosemary urges the public to release any information that could be helpful to the NSW Police.

"Any information, no matter how small, would assist police and may be what is needed to provide myself and my family with some much needed answers," she said.

ABOVE: Paul Murray's youngest brother Simon.

Paul's youngest brother Simon Murray who pleaded with the public to come forward.

"Since his death we have done nothing but grieve without redemption," he said in the press conference. "We adored our brother. He had his hand outreached for people to take him to safety yet they led him to his death."

"We ask for justice and I applaud those where, my brother David, my sister Rosemary and the Police for not wavering over the 28 years of heartache as we ask again for whose who have information to move forward and contact Crimestoppers."

The reward was increased by the NSW Government from today (Thursday 6 October, 2022).