A NSW Police task force ruled there was "insufficient information" to establish whether former AC/DC manager Crispin Dye's death was the result of a hate crime but had not tested his blood-stained clothes.
An inquiry has heard the jeans and shirt Mr Dye was wearing when fatally assaulted in Sydney 30 years ago were never sent for examination through three separate police probes and a coronial inquest.
Nor were two pieces of paper stashed in his shirt - including one with a name and number scribbled on it - ever located or categorised by investigators.
The 41-year-old's death is among dozens of historical killings subject to a special commission into suspected LGBT hate crimes in NSW between 1970 and 2010.
He was out with friends in Surry Hills and Darlinghurst before being attacked and robbed by unknown men in the early hours of December 23, 1993.
Police found the musician unconscious near Kinselas Hotel about 4:30am, before he was transported to hospital.
Mr Dye, who was celebrating the release of his first solo album under the name Chris Kemp, died from head injuries two days later, on Christmas Day.
He also managed Rose Tattoo during his long career in the industry.
The special commission before Justice John Sackar has heard the Cairns local travelled to Sydney to visit his mother before the incident.
Counsel Assisting Peter Gray SC told the inquiry during his opening address in November that there had been an initial police investigation followed by a coronial inquest in 1994 and 1995.
A person of interest was identified in 1994. The case was reopened in 1999 but no one was ever charged.
The inquiry is hearing evidence about suspected murders investigated by Strike Force Parrabell, which reviewed 88 cases between 1976 and 2000 for potential motives of gay-hate "biases".
It was told last year that Strike Force Parrabell assigned Mr Dye's case to the category of "insufficient information to establish a bias crime".
"Some of Mr Dye's friends thought he was gay or bisexual but whether that was in fact so seems to be unclear," Mr Gray said.
"The scene of the attack was close to Oxford Street's LGBTIQ bars and nightclubs, and one suggestion in the evidence gathered by police was that he may have been attacked by three men, and thus that a gang may have been involved.
"However, the area around Oxford Street was at the time also considered by police to be a hotspot for street robberies generally."
On Tuesday, Mr Gray told the inquiry that one of the pieces of paper found after the clothing was handed over to the inquiry appeared to hold a bloodstain.
Mr Dye's pants also contained a mixture of blood from two people, including his own, the inquiry heard.
It has now been informed the DNA matches a male profile obtained from another crime scene.
In 2014, NSW Police offered a $100,000 reward for information over the 1993 death.
Former Homicide Squad commander Mick Willing said at the time police were "absolutely committed to getting to the bottom of this case" and bringing those responsible to justice.
Strike Force Parrabell was established in 2015.
In its 2018 report, the task force acknowledged "both [the police's] and society's acceptance" of gay bashings in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, but said the force had since "come a long way" in its attitudes.
NSW Police said in a statement on Tuesday that it looked forward to the inquiry's recommendations.
"As the inquiry is ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment. At an appropriate time, the NSW Police Force will make submissions to the inquiry," it said.
"The NSW Police Force reiterates their full support of the Inquiry and has dedicated significant resources to the task."