By Rachael Ward in Melbourne

There’s a new clue in the hunt for two masked bandits wanted over the desecration of the grave of an underworld figure’s sister.

Victorian police believe an overseas crime boss ordered the men to remove her corpse but they stopped short, instead stealing an expensive diamond ring.

Investigators revealed on Monday they believe the pair used a dark-coloured Mini Cooper car during the macabre heist.

That type of vehicle was reportedly seen in the area near Preston General Cemetery in Melbourne’s north the same morning.

The thieves targeted the mausoleum that housed the remains of Meshilin Marrogi, the sister of convicted murderer George Marrogi who is serving a 32-year sentence.

Ms Marrogi died from COVID-19 in September 2021 at the age of 30 and there was no damage to any other crypts within the mausoleum.

The bandits broke into the cemetery early on the morning of July 30 2023 and moved the casket but did not take it away.

Detective Inspector Graham Banks previously told reporters it was believed interfering with the grave was intended to hurt Mr Marrogi and described it as a “new low” that caused disdain in the criminal world.

Police said in December they believed the unnamed crime boss who ordered the attack is the head of a syndicate involved in a conflict over illicit tobacco in Victoria linked to more than 30 arson attacks.