Victim family anger as serial killer Paul Denyer asks to be released

Frankston serial killer Paul Denyer has asked to be released from behind bars sparking an angry reaction from his victims’ families.

Frankston serial killer Paul Denyer’s non-parole period of 30 years ends next year.

One of Victoria’s most evil serial killers has applied for parole.

The Herald Sun can reveal Frankston serial killer Paul Denyer, who now goes by the name Paula, applied for parole earlier this week.

Denyer has been in jail over the murders of student ­Elizabeth Anne-Marie Stevens, 18, Seaford mother Debbie Fream, 22, and schoolgirl ­Natalie Russell, 17.

Denyer was sentenced to life without parole for his heinous crimes in 1993.

A non-parole period of 30 years was later set, making him eligible for release in 2023.

Brian Russell, father of Denyer’s last known victim Natalie, said he was disgusted.

“It is a kick in the guts, he ruined our lives,” Mr Russell told the Herald Sun.

Brian and Carmel Russell, the parents of Natalie Russell, long campaigned for Denyer to never be released. Picture: Ian Currie

“I was a bit shocked to be honest when I got the call. Why they are going out of their way to be nice to this person is beyond me. He should never be released.

“I think it is ridiculous to even consider paroling a person like this. He terrified the whole district, he will kill again. The fear he caused is still in people around the place.”

Mr Russell said he was contacted on Wednesday and told Denyer was eligible for parole on April 11 next year.

“We are told it has been brought forward due to the conditions in prison because of Covid,” he said.

“Why they go out of their way to do something for a bloke like this, I don’t know. With a bit of luck, he will never see the light of day again.”

Deborah Fream.

Elizabeth Stevens.

Natalie Russell.

Mr Russell said he was waiting on paperwork from the Department of Justice on the matter.

He said his wife Carmel had not taken the news well.

“She’s not too well,” Mr Russell said.

“Neither of us slept too well last night. We haven’t forgotten about what he did. He should not be released.”

One of the lead investigators who worked the case said the government needed to act to keep Denyer behind bars.

Former homicide cop Charlie Bezzina described Denyer as “cunning and conniving”.

“There has been a lot of public angst about this,” Mr Bezzina said.

“Any clear-thinking government cannot release Denyer back into the community.

“He is a callous and conniving individual. “The parole board will see that.”

Mr Bezzina said he had spoken to multiple prison sources, including guards and inmates, who reaffirmed Denyer had not changed.

“Often when prisoners approach parole they can become model prisoners,” he said.

“I’ve been told he no longer requires others to address him as Paula.

“He’s wired to be conniving and cunning. He is a danger to the community.

“It’s up to the government to protect and legislate to keep him in jail.”

Denyer changed his name to Paula while behind bars. Picture: Supplied

Earlier this year, David Limbrick told the Herald Sun he wanted “reassurance” Denyer would remain behind bars for the rest of his life.

Mr Limbrick was dating Natalie Russell at the time of her death.

He said the community’s faith in the justice system was shaken when Denyer’s life sentence was overturned on appeal in July 1994 granting a non parole period of 30 years.

“People don’t trust the system. They fear if he is released he will kill again,” Mr Limbrick said in June.

“Those murders changed a generation. Parents talk about it to their children even now, nearly 30 years later.”

Denyer, 48, killed the three in the Frankston area in the space of three weeks in 1993.

Despite being an avowed woman-hater, Denyer now dresses as a female and asks to be addressed as Paula.

The Adult Parole Board declined to comment on the matter.

“Due to confidentiality provisions in the Corrections Act 1986, the Adult Parole Board is unable to provide confidential or personal information about any prisoner,” a statement said.

Originally published as Victim family anger as serial killer Paul Denyer asks to be released