Woman who has spent 13 years behind bars for the yacht murder of her partner is freed on parole – but still says she’s innocent of the crime
- Susan Neill-Fraser to walk free from jail, convicted of killing her partner in 2009
- She was found to have murdered Bob Chappell aboard their yacht in Tasmania
- Neill-Fraser has maintained her innocence following her sentencing in 2010
- The body Mr Chappell or a possible weapon has never been located
One of Australia’s most infamous murderers is finally set to walk free from prison on parole after protesting her innocence from behind bars for 13 years
Susan Neill-Fraser, 65, was convicted of murdering partner Bob Chappell aboard their yacht, Four Winds, at Sandy Bay, Tasmania, on Australia Day, 2009.
Neill-Fraser has always maintained her innocence throughout her 13 years at the Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison at Risdon Vale.
She also consistently refused to apply for parole as she would have to admit her guilt – but the parole board has decided to set her free on licence without a confession.
Susan Neill-Fraser (left), 65, has been granted parole after spending the past 13 years at the Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison at Risdon Vale, after she was convicted of murdering partner Bob Chappell (right) aboard their yacht, Four Winds, at Sandy Bay, Tasmania on Australia Day, 2009
Neill-Fraser (pictured) has maintained her innocence following her sentencing in 2010
Police have never managed to find Mr Chappell’s body or a possible murder weapon.
No explanation has ever been given for how the DNA of Meaghan Vass, who was then a homeless 15-year-old girl, ended up on the yacht, ABC News reported.
Ms Vass is alleged to have told several different versions of her story over the years, including that she was never even on the yacht.
This infamous case attracted strong interest through books and TV documentaries across Australia as well as internationally.
Neill-Fraser was known to be a ‘model prisoner’ during her time, who had made pavlovas for fellow inmates for birthdays, provide legal advice and help with reading.
Neill-Fraser (pictured) chose not to apply for parole throughout her sentence, as she wanted to leave prison with a full exoneration
Meaghan Vass’s DNA was found aboard the yacht (pictured) but she told the original trial she was not on the boat
But in September last year, Neill-Fraser was put in solitary confinement for five days, with all privileges revoked after writing about ‘a day in the life’ of a female prisoner.
Her day to day experiences were later published on a supporter’s website, in breach of strict prison rules.
She also went on a hunger strike in 2017 when she was moved to medium security after contraband was allegedly found in her cell.
The contraband, according to her daughter Sarah Bowles, was a pair of pre-approved kids’ craft scissors as well as a tube of make-up, purchased from the prison canteen.
Neill-Fraser had two failed appeals against her conviction in 2017 and 2021.
She also lost an effort last month to overturn her conviction in the nation’s highest court after the High Court refused her application for leave to appeal.
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