MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - The matriarch of Melbourne's most notorious gangster family has been charged with murder over a daylight hit on her brother-in-law last month, police said Monday.

Victoria state police charged Judy Moran, 64, with murdering Desmond 'Tuppence' Moran, a former underworld enforcer who was gunned down in a suburban cafe.

Police added they had also charged Suzanne Kane, girlfriend of 'Tuppence's' alleged killer, Geoffrey 'Nuts' Amour, with murder. Both women had previously been charged as accessories in the killing.

The charges represent the latest twist in a mob drama that Victoria's police chief Simon Overland has described as 'stranger than fiction.'

Judy Moran's husband Lewis and sons Jason and Mark were all killed in a nine-year gang war that claimed at least 25 lives and inspired the hit Australian television drama 'Underbelly.'

Her brother-in-law Desmond was the family's last surviving male member until he was shot at his favourite cafe on June 15.

Judy arrived at the crime scene within minutes crying 'Dessie! Dessie!' but was later arrested. Police searches of her property reportedly turned up the getaway car, a self-loading rifle, pistols and a wig.

Both women will appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday.