Snowtown murderer James Vlassakis awaits decision on historic world-first parole bid

A decision has been made as to whether Adelaide will become the first city in the world to parole a serial killer.

The fate of “bodies in the barrels” murderer James Spyridon Vlassakis – and whether SA is the only state in the world to parole a serial killer – will be released to the public in 10 days’ time.

On Friday, the state government’s challenge to Vlassakis’ release on parole was heard behind closed doors by Parole Board Review Commissioner Michael David KC.

The hearing lasted for about three hours.

Although state law prohibits the public or media attending such hearings, Mr David said in October he would authorise publication of his final decision on the matter.

The Advertiser understands that publication will occur on December 15.

Vlassakis, 45, pleaded guilty to committing four of the infamous murders – including that of his half-brother Troy Youde, who was also tortured.

Another of his victims was his stepbrother, David Johnson, who was the only person murdered at Snowtown.

Accused murderer James Spyridon Vlassakis, concealed by a blanket, leaving the Supreme Court in Jun 2001.

Mr Johnson’s murder, and the discovery of victims’ bodies were hidden inside barrels in a disused bank, led to the killings becoming known as the “Snowtown murders”.

Vlassakis also gave evidence at trial that helped convict fellow murderers John Justin Bunting and Robert Joe Wagner, who are serving life sentences without parole.

That resulted in a permanent suppression on images of Vlassakis, and high levels of secrecy regarding his arrangements in prison.

Mark Ray Haydon, who covered up the murders, was paroled in 2024 and is subject to a restrictive extended supervision order governing his liberty.

Should the appeal not be successful, Vlassakis will – it is believed – become the only paroled serial killer in global history.

The definition of “serial killer” as agreed upon by most international law-enforcement agencies is a person who killed three or more victims over a space of more than a month.

In the United States, the definition is a person who kills at least two people.