Witness breaks 10-year silence over killing of Bob Chappell

A witness has broken her 10-year-silence over the murder of Bob Chappell and the revelation could be the final breakthrough to exonerate his wife of murder.

Sue Neill-Fraser has spent nine years behind bars for the murder of her partner on their yacht in Tasmania on Australia Day in 2009.

The couple spent their last day together on the yacht before Mr Chappell decided he would stay aboard overnight while his wife returned home on a dinghy.

The yacht was discovered half-submerged the following morning and Mr Chappell was missing, presumed dead. 

A witness has broken her 10-year-silence over the murder of Bob Chappell (pictured) and the revelation could be the final breakthrough to exonerate his wife of murder

Although his body was never found, Neill-Fraser was found guilty of attacking Mr Chappell and dumping his body in the River Derwent.

Ten years on from the horrific incident, Meaghan Vass has confessed to Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes that she was on the yacht the night of Mr Chappell’s death.

Not only was she on the yacht that night, she also saw who exactly killed him.

‘I saw a lot of blood,’ Ms Vass, who was homeless and 16 at the time, tells Liam Bartlett.

When Bartless asks Ms Vass if an innocent woman has been sitting in jail for nine years, Ms Vass replies with a tearful ‘yes’. 

If her confession is correct, her testimony could be the final piece of evidence needed to get Ms Neill-Fraser out from behind bars.

The case has been labelled a ‘horrendous miscarriage of justice’ by some of the country’s top police and legal minds.

Former Victoria Police detective Colin McLaren previously told A Current Affair he does not believe there was a legitimate, objective investigation carried out.

Although his body was never found, Ms Neill-Fraser (pictured) was found guilty of attacking Mr Chappell and dumping his body in the River Derwent

The mother and grandmother maintains her innocence as she serves a 23-year jail sentence in Tasmania. Right to left: Bob Chappell, Susan Neill-Fraser, Neill-Fraser’s daughter Sarah Bowles (nee Fraser-Meeker) and son-in-law Mark Bowles 

Ten years on from the horrific incident, Meaghan Vass (pictured) has confessed to Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes that she was on the yacht the night of Mr Chappell’s death

Mr McLaren has joined forces with former Victoria Police detective Charlie Bezzina.

The pair have spent years analysing evidence, uncovering police mistakes and have discovered missing items they say are crucial.

The prosecution alleged Ms Neill-Fraser killed her husband with a wrench in the cabin then winched his body up to the deck and disposed of it.

They said she wanted out of the 18-year relationship and stood to gain financially.

Mr Mclaren and Mr Bezzina claim that two other people tried to burgle the boat that night – Meaghan Vass and her boyfriend.

Susan Neill Fraser (pictured, right) has always denied killing partner Bob Campbell (pictured, left) 

The yacht (pictured) was discovered half-submerged the following morning and Mr Chappell was missing, presumed dead

They claim the DNA of then homeless 16-year-old Vass found on the deck of Four Winds.

Originally she denied ever being on the yacht and the prosecution said that her DNA was on board due to ‘secondary transfer’. 

Ms Neill-Fraser and her family have adamantly denied she committed the crime.

Although she’s lost multiple attempts to overturn the conviction, both she and her family maintain her innocence. 

‘Witness to Murder’ airs this Sunday at 8.30pm on 60 Minutes on Channel 9.