Convicted murderer Peter Rex Dansie dies in hospital while serving 25-year term for drowning his disabled wife, Helen, in 2017

Exclusive: A greedy husband whose appalling crime was dubbed “the ultimate act of domestic violence” has died while fighting from jail to claim his wife's estate for himself.

A greed-driven murderer who drowned his disabled wife because she was a “financial burden” – and so he could pursue Chinese women for sex – has died while serving his life sentence.

The Advertiser has learned Peter Rex Dansie, who murdered Helen Dansie seven years ago, died on Monday after being transferred from his prison cell to hospital.

Dansie’s son, Grant, who gave evidence against him during his trial, told The Advertiser he was relieved to have received news of his father’s death.

Grant – who publicly denounced Dansie as a “petty little fat man” – was still fighting him, in court, to stop him claiming any share of his mother’s estate despite his conviction.

“From my side I am relieved... Peter Dansie was a callous, cold-blooded killer and he died behind bars where he belonged,” he said.

“He was vindictive and never showed any remorse, fighting to try and get control of mum’s estate in the civil courts until the bitter end.”

Grant said the case “shows the importance of protecting women when faced by violent spouses”.

“Mum’s death was fully preventable and the authorities responsible for her protection were warned repeatedly over many years about the threat that Peter Dansie posed,” he said.

“However, they continued to ignore our warnings about domestic violence and mum ultimately ended up adding to the number of women tragically killed by their spouses.

“Hopefully with his passing our family can finally get some peace as we will continue to mourn my fantastic mum.”

A Department for Correctional Services spokesperson confirmed Dansie, 74, had died “due to natural causes on May 27”, and a report would be prepared for the Coroner.

Under state law, the death of any prison inmate must be treated as a “death in custody” and investigated, even if the result of natural causes.

Peter Rex Dansie in 2019. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Grant Dansie in March, when his father’s final appeal was rejected. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Following two trials – one of which had to be aborted – Dansie, now 74, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a 25-year non-parole period in 2020.

The Supreme Court found he had drowned Helen, 67, in April 2017 because he considered her a financial burden.

Mrs Dansie’s body and her wheelchair were recovered from a 1.5m deep pond in Veale Gardens.

Dansie claimed she had suffered an accident and he had jumped in to save her.

The court rejected his defence, dubbing the murder “the ultimate act of domestic violence” after a 40-year marriage plagued by neglect and abuse.

It ruled the evidence showed Dansie was not prepared to “spend any of what he considered his money” on improving Helen’s quality of life.

Dansie refused to spend the money needed so that Helen, right, had proper shoes, dental care, health and medical needs, and a comfortable quality of life. Picture: Supplied

It found he was “obsessive” about controlling her life and assets, using guardianship laws to his advantage to do so, while “dismissing” concerns about her health and welfare.

It also ruled he was further motivated to commit murder by his “very keen interest” in pursuing Chinese women for sex.

It further ruled no mercy could be shown to a “selfish, evil and despicable” killer who “viciously and callously” neglected his wife’s needs.

Grant and his mother’s family denounced Dansie, in their victim impact statements, as “callous, brutal” and “undeserving of mercy”.

He then took legal action to protect his mother’s estate from being used by Dansie to fund his first, unsuccessful appeal and subsequent High Court challenge.

Dansie visiting the scene of Helen’s murder during his trial in October 2019. Picture: Sam Wundke

In February 2022 – just 24 hours before Helen’s long-delayed funeral – the High Court agreed to hear Dansie’s case.

Six months later, it ruled SA’s courts had “misapplied” legal precedent when refusing Dansie’s attempt to overturn his conviction and ordered his appeal be re-heard.

That had the legal effect of resetting the case as if the original failed appeal never happened.

Dansie, meanwhile, was sued for allegedly failing to pay the $24,000 landscaping bill on the property he owned with Helen.

In March this year, the Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed Dansie’s challenge and ordered both his conviction and sentence stand.

It was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that, having reviewed the trial evidence, that material proved Dansie guilty.

Dansie continued to try and claim half of Helen’s estate even after all of his appeals had failed. Picture: Supplied

It said the evidence showed Dansie had deliberately, not accidentally, pushed Helen into the pond “with the intention to kill her”.

That restarted the legal fight over Helen’s estate, with Dansie insisting 50 per cent of it was his regardless of his conviction.

Grant sought to have it returned to his family, while the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions moved to claim it as proceeds of crime.

The Advertiser understands word of Dansie’s death reached Grant’s legal team earlier this week, prompting them to make inquiries of his counsel.

It is understood Dansie’s counsel subsequently confirmed their client had died.