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Greed-driven dismemberment murderer Angelika Gavare asks for shorter sentence under SA’s ‘no body, no parole’ laws

Almost a decade after her crime, this killer finally revealed what happened to her victim’s body – and she says that’s enough to earn her a lesser sentence.

Angelika Gavare and the gruesome murder of Vonne McGlynn

Angelika Gavare ambushed and murdered her neighbour and dismembered her so brutally that police could only identify the pensioner by the serial number on her artificial hip.

In the 16 years since, Vonne McGlynn’s head and hands have never been recovered – but Gavare says that is no reason to deny her mercy under SA’s “no body, no parole” law.

On Monday, counsel for Gavare told the Supreme Court their client had revealed what happened to the missing body parts, warranting a new, shorter non-parole period.

Nick Vadasz, for Gavare, said the fact that information came too late to ever recover the remains was inconsequential – as the law only required an offender to “co-operate”.

Angelika Gavare being interviewed at the Christies Beach Police Station on December 19, 2008. Picture: Supreme Court
Angelika Gavare being interviewed at the Christies Beach Police Station on December 19, 2008. Picture: Supreme Court

“It’s clear Gavare went out of her way to deny her offending, that she showed no remorse, that she showed no empathy or pity to the relatives of the deceased,” he said.

“In multiple interviews (after the murder), conducted by police, she was jovial and engaged in a manner that was full of audacity.

“But she has now given what appears to be a truthful and complete account, enabling the victim’s family to understand how and why she died, and what happened to her remains.

“I cannot justify what she did, there’s nothing that can whitewash her behaviour, but she has turned around from the person who committed this crime to who she is today.

“The person Gavare is now is vastly different to that at the time of the murder … there is no reason why the law should not apply in this situation.”

Pensioner Vonne McGlynn. Picture: Suppled by Ms McGlynn’s friends
Pensioner Vonne McGlynn. Picture: Suppled by Ms McGlynn’s friends

Gavare, now 48, is serving the longest sentence ever imposed upon a woman, in SA history, for murdering Ms McGlynn, 82, in 2008.

She was motivated by greed – Gavare wanted to take over, renovate and sell Ms McGlynn’s home, and claim her pension and benefits, for her own profit.

In June, she asked the court to shorten her non-parole period due to her “co-operation” with police back in 2016, even though Ms McGlynn’s remains were not recovered.

On Monday, prosecutor Amy Fisher said Gavare’s co-operation had been limited, revealed little police did not already know and was ultimately “self-interested”.

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Gavare is serving the longest non-parole period even imposed upon an SA woman. Picture: Supreme Court
Gavare is serving the longest non-parole period even imposed upon an SA woman. Picture: Supreme Court

“The law came into effect on February 11, 2016 … police spoke to Gavare on June 7, 2016 … she still did not provide information for some 18 months,” she said.

“It was not until police gave assurances they would keep her information confidential that she divulged, for the first time, what she did with Ms McGlynn’s remains.

“This application is so far beyond the scope of what was contemplated by the legislation that it must fall at the first hurdle … it’s information given to ensure her parole, not aid police.”

Justice Sandi McDonald has reserved her decision.

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-sa/greeddriven-dismemberment-murderer-angelika-gavare-asks-for-shorter-sentence-under-sas-no-body-no-parole-laws/news-story/907aa209f50f271b7988e475f8fecc7c