Snowtown serial killer James Vlassakis granted parole after 26 years

Michael James Gardiner was one of the murder victims. Photo / Supplied

Snowtown serial killer James Vlassakis has been granted parole after spending 26 years behind bars, but he will not be immediately freed.

Vlassakis, now aged 45, was the youngest of the four people involved in South Australia’s infamous “bodies in the barrels” murders between 1992 and 1999.

He pleaded guilty to four murders, including his half-brother, Troy Youde, and his stepbrother, David Johnson.

Vlassakis also testified against John Bunting and Robert Wagner, who are each serving life sentences without the prospect of parole.

The Parole Board of SA deemed on Tuesday that Vlassakis should be granted parole.

But Attorney-General Kyam Maher, SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and Commissioner for Victims Rights Sarah Quick have 60 days to appeal the decision.

“Today’s decision to release James Vlassakis will understandably bring fresh pain and anger to those who have already suffered beyond measure,” Quick said.

“The prospect of Mr Vlassakis re-entering the community is a difficult reality for the victims and will require a significant emotional adjustment, adding to an already unbearable burden.

“Knowing that he is subject to parole conditions and supervision for the rest of his life provides some level of reassurance for these victims.

Snowtown murder victim David Johnson. Photo / Supplied

“We must never forget that for the friends, family and loved ones of murder victims the impact of the killing does not end simply because a prison term has ended.

“It is something they live with every day for the rest of their lives.”

Parole Board chair Frances Nelson said the board had set “very robust expectations” for Vlassakis.

“I think he’s very mindful of the challenges he will face,” she said.

“I think he’s got very good intentions – he has to translate them into action."

Mark Ray Haydon, who covered up the murders, was released last year with a restrictive extended supervision order.

Nelson said Vlassakis would continue to live at the Adelaide Pre-Release Centre, which he could leave under supervision.

“He’s looking for employment and he appreciates that will be very difficult with his history,” she said.

“I think he appreciates it will not be all that easy … I think he’s accepting of the challenges that he will face.

“He knows what they are, he’s quite sensible in the face of them, and he’s got to toe the line.”

Barry Wayne Lane was another Snowtown murder victim. Photo / Supplied

The Snowtown serial killings were discovered in 1999, when SA Police found remains in six plastic barrels in an old bank vault.

Most victims were friends or family of the perpetrators.

Vlassakis, whose image remains suppressed, was 19 when he committed the crimes against four victims.

He became involved through his stepfather, Bunting.

Bunting and Wagner were jailed for 11 and 10 murders respectively.

The serial killings were dramatised in the award-winning 2011 film Snowtown.