Killer on the run: Family’s fears after Michael Aller escapes facility

NSW Police have been criticised for describing a killer who escaped from a western NSW facility as a ‘missing person’ and asking the public to help find him. The man is still on the run.

NSW Police have been criticised for describing a killer who escaped from a western NSW facility as a “missing person” while asking the public to help find him.

A “missing persons” statement was issued more than 24 hours after Michael Aller disappeared — but it failed to mention that he was dangerous and should not be approached.

Aller stabbed Amy Aiton 30 times then covered her in a blanket and left her for days while he went on drinking before ringing family and telling them what he had done.

On Thursday The Daily Telegraph became aware he had escaped from a facility in Orange and contacted police.

Several hours later police posted a statement on their website and Facebook page appealing for public assistance to find Aller who was “missing”. Aller remains missing as of Friday night.

Michael Aller is on the run. Picture: NSW Police

Aller stabbed Amy Aiton to death in 2012. Picture: Supplied

Prominent victims’ advocate Howard Brown said the fact there was nothing in the police statement to warn people “not to approach” Aller was “outrageous”.

“I am really concerned that the police are presenting an issue that bears very little resemblance to the actual situation,” Mr Brown said. “And that is that a dangerous man is at large which is a risk to the community and they are not being advised of that risk.

“That’s the type of report you put out for people suffering from Alzheimer’s.

“What happens when you see someone that you might have recognised from media reports as missing? You go over and offer them help, you show compassion and concern for that person. You stay with them until the police arrive.

“Would you be recommending anyone to approach Aller? If someone gets injured are police going to be responsible for anyone who tries to assist?”

The police statement issued just before 6pm on Thursday said 58-year-old Aller was last seen wearing a dark blue shirt, light green shorts and thongs and that he is known to frequent the Orange area.

Victims’ advocate Howard Brown says describing Aller as a ‘missing person’ was outrageous. Picture: David Swift

Mr Brown said “common sense” would suggest Aller would return to the areas he is familiar with – “and that’s the Central Coast where he committed the crime. So will he take public transport? Hitchhike? Surely this poses a risk to the public?”

Former NSW detective Peter Hogan said the victim’s family and the community deserved better.

“This person poses a serious risk to the safety of the community, a warning for the community to avoid this person if sighted and contact police immediately should have been issued. That is appropriate, not a missing person’s release.”

Mr Hogan said he had serious concerns for the safety and wellbeing of Ms Aiton’s mother Debbie, her family and the general community.

“You have to do better than contacting the victim’s family 24 hours later to advise them of what has happened,” he said.

“Surely Debbie and her family and other victims deserved better than this.”

NSW independent MP Rod Roberts said “the public has the right to know when a killer is on the run”.

“They talk about needing co-operation from the community to help solve crimes, well this request for information has to be a two-way street.

“If you need operational secrecy you’d understand but this is a violent killer, who covered his victim then went out drinking, and cops have not bothered to inform the public for their own safety.”

Debbie Roberts holds a photo of daughter Amy Aiton. Picture: Troy Snook

Ms Aiton’s mum Debbie Roberts said she did not sleep a wink knowing her daughter’s killer was on the loose.

“They called to tell me on Thursday and I just said: ‘You are kidding’.

“This is so distressing. This is the man who killed my daughter.”

Ms Aiton’s partner Chris Horwood stayed home from work to be with her.

“It just makes our blood boil, we are terrified. He is a monster, ” Mr Horwood said.

“My priority is keeping Debbie safe. There is a ripple effect to this. It’s just horrible ... this is not good enough.”

Aller was sentenced in 2015 to a maximum of 11 and a half years for the manslaughter of 31-year-old Ms Alton at Narara.

“My beautiful daughter and only child Amy was stabbed to her death over 30 times by her boyfriend of six weeks,” a still devastated Ms Roberts said.

“Then he covered her over with a blanket and left her for two days then went on a drinking binge before ringing his family members and telling them what he had done.

“That was 12 years ago, and here I am, having to watch as he manipulates a system that doesn’t protect victims.”

Justice Peter Hidden said Aller had a propensity for domestic abuse when drinking.

In 2008 Aller had sent a series of intimidating and sexually degrading phone messages to a former partner, breaching an AVO.

He then abused her in the street, before throwing a brick through her lounge-room window.

He was given a suspended sentence.

In 2011 during an argument with another girlfriend at an RSL he punched her in the face, later breaching another AVO and spending a short time in prison. In 2012 he met Ms Aiton.

Ms Aiton was vulnerable as a car accident had left her paralysed in the left side of her body.

No one in Ms Aiton’s position would have been able to ward off Aller’s attack in July 31, 2012, Justice Hidden said.

Aller, having “smashed” a number of schooners of beer and six cans of bourbon and Coke, got into an argument with Ms Aiton at her townhouse in Narara.

He stabbed the 31-year-old repeatedly with a kitchen knife.

He then caught a train to Sydney where he spent the night drinking at a hotel before handing himself into police the next morning.

Aller was found not guilty earlier this year of Ms Aiton’s murder on the basis of substantial impairment.

Justice Hidden sentenced him to a limiting term of 11 and a half years.

Outside the Supreme Court, Ms Aiton’s mother Debbie Roberts described the sentence as a “slap in the face to all women who live with domestic violence”.

Wendy Robinson, whose parents were murdered in their Western NSW home in 2014, belong to a support group with Ms Roberts.

The group has been requesting electronic monitoring since 2017.

“This is absolutely outrageous. This man is a killer. He has murdered my friend’s beautiful daughter and assaulted many women,” she said.

“Families shouldn’t have to go through this. Once absconding is one too many.”

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]