Killer scouting for love on dating apps: Minister steps in
Emerald Wardle’s distraught family members told the Sunday Telegraph that finding out her killer was on Tinder and other social media platforms actively talking to girls while serving a sentence for killing their loved one was “beyond belief”.
NSW
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Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson has intervened in a case where a killer was found scouting for love on dating apps, and out on day release from his mental health facility, four years after strangling his girlfriend to death.
It can be revealed the Minister is deeply concerned about a string of cases where killers have been spared criminal convictions on mental health grounds, diverted into a separate justice system, only to be given special freedoms and day release within a few years.
In the latest case, Jordan Brodie Miller, who strangled his girlfriend Emerald Wardle in 2020, has been found on dating apps after being given day release less than four years after the killing.
Ms Wardle’s distraught family members told the Sunday Telegraph that finding out Miller was on Tinder and other platforms actively talking to girls while serving a sentence for murdering 18-year-old Emerald was “beyond belief”.
In August, The Sunday Telegraph revealed the killer who stabbed to death 10-year-old Biddy Porter in 2020 had also been given day release less than four years later.
The Telegraph subsequently reported on four other similar cases but was legally prevented from identifying the killers.
Ms Jackson told the Sunday Telegraph: “The NSW Government is aware of serious concerns regarding how these cases are dealt with and is considering changes in the area to improve how cases are handled to further ensure public safety.
She said she’d been personally moved by the grief experienced by loved ones of victims.
“We absolutely understand the concerns raised and the distress this would cause to the victims’ family, friends and the community,” she said.
Jordan Brodie Miller was sentenced in Newcastle Supreme Court to 20 years jail in June 2021, with a non-parole period of 13 years, for the murder of Emerald at the home they shared in Metford in the NSW Hunter Region in June 2020.
But in April this year, Miller had his sentence overturned after the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal found he was experiencing an episode of schizophrenic illness at the time he killed Emerald.
It found 20-year-old Miller had experienced a miscarriage of justice because of fresh evidence he was diagnosed with schizophrenia after the trial and was experiencing ongoing symptoms.
The court found Miller did murder Ms Wardle but declared him not criminally responsible.
The Sunday Telegraph is unable to detail the reason he is free in the community because of legal restrictions on reporting the nature of his sentence.
It is understood Miller’s day release has since been revoked and his phone privileges removed.
Ms Wardle’s aunty Kristy Smith said the family was shocked and frightened to discover Miller was on social media and using dating apps.
“He is on dating sites and matching with young girls and that seems outrageous to us,” she said.
In a private message to Jordan Brodie – believed to be an account Miller was using – a woman who knew Emerald asked whether he intended telling girls he was communicating with about his crime.
“Can I ask you a question?” she wrote.
“Shoot”, came the reply.
“I genuinely want to ask and want to know why you have social media and what your intention is after what you have done.”
She told Brodie she knew Emerald, had followed the case and wanted to know “Do you plan on being honest with people you interact with?”
Brodie replied: “I’m sure you’re a lovely person but I’m not having this conversation, all you need to know is that I was going through a psychosis at the time of the offence. Very sad but true I wish it didn’t happen.”
The friend replied: “I just want to know this specifically with the social media situation because I know people who have seen you on Tinder etc. Like do you plan on being honest with them and telling them who you are from the get go.”
Brodie replied: “Not having this conversation like I said, but yes”.
Ms Smith wrote to NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley demanding answers.
“It was highly upsetting to find out via social media that Jordan is now allowed the privilege of day release and is currently active on social media and dating sites where he is informing young ladies he will be available in nine months,” Ms Smith wrote.
“What we were told was that it would be years before he was moved from prison and decades before release, followed by the words ‘it’s not as if he will be walking the streets’.
“All these statements were misleading and false by the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions). Could I please request that we as the family have answers to how and why Jordan has been allowed privileges such as day release and how he is allowed access to create social media accounts and dating profiles.”
Orange MP Phil Donato recently raised Ms Smith’s questions in NSW parliament - and also tabled Advocacy Australia’s “Justice for Biddy Porter” e-petition that attracted 21,550 signatures supporting the call for justice for Biddy and essential reform to NSW Government services for all victims of serious crimes.
He asked “how a killer can be granted day release and access to the tools to pose a further threat to unsuspecting women. It’s outrageous.
“This issue raises an essential question: How can a person who has committed such a heinous crime be permitted to engage in activities that allow him to interact with the public, particularly vulnerable individuals?
“How was Jordan Miller granted release?
“What are the guidelines for his rehabilitation? “How is access to social media and dating sites justified?
“The parents of young women would be appalled to know this unsuspecting threat exists, because the women may not know they are interacting with a killer.”
Miller’s Supreme Court murder trial heard his actions were caused by drug use, including consumption of the drug marijuana and LSD. The court was told he rang triple-0 after strangling Ms Wardle at their home in Metford, near Maitland, telling them he had killed a “demon” that was “sucking the life out of him”.
Miller did not deny killing his girlfriend but claimed he was experiencing the onset of an undiagnosed mental illness.
Do you have a story for The Telegraph? Email cydonee.mardon@news.com.au
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