Paul Denyer: Natalie Russell’s parents say life sentence would bring peace
Time is running out to ensure Paul Denyer is never released and the loved ones of his victims want action.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Family and friends of three women slain by serial killer Paul Denyer want action to ensure he is locked up for life.
Brian Russell, whose daughter Natalie was Denyer’s last known victim, and Liberal Democrat MP David Limbrick are urging the State Government to “make whatever changes are needed” to ensure the evil killer is not freed when he becomes eligible for early release in June 2023.
Family friends of Denyer’s first victim Elizabeth Stevens have backed the call and gathered more than 30,000 signatures supporting a campaign to keep Denyer behind bars.
Denyer, who now goes by the name Paula, murdered Natalie, 17, Elizabeth, 18, and 22-year-old mother Deborah Fream in the Frankston area during a terrifying seven-week period in 1993.
Mr Russell told the Herald Sun on Tuesday his family was “wrecked” by Natalie’s death and would never recover.
However, knowing Denyer would “never have the chance to hurt another girl” would provide peace.
“We’re not getting any younger. We’re tired. But we feel obligated to keep going, to do what we can for all three girls; to make sure this never happens again,” Mr Russell said.
Mr Limbrick, who was dating Natalie at the time of her death, also wanted “reassurance”.
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.
“Those murders changed a generation. Parents talk about it to their children even now, nearly 30 years later.”
Mr Limbrick said while the members of the State Government were “sympathetic” there were no signs of action.
“I don’t want to dictate what course of action should be taken, but that reassurance is needed now.
“We don’t want to wait until there’s a parole hearing in a year’s time.”
Nathad Oud, who was family friends with Denyer’s first victim, Elizabeth, said the “always smiling” teen had her life snatched from her after a rocky upbringing as a ward of the state and “never had the chance to live a life of her own”.
Mr Obud’s sister Tracey was still reeling from the tragic death of her best friend which came only months after the siblings lost their father.
“She still can’t talk about it, she won’t read any articles or watch any shows about it.”
Mr Obud is also still in touch with Deborah Fream’s younger brother Troy who he said was still recovering from her death three decades on.
“I spoke to him the other day on the day he checked out of a mental hospital where he had been for the past 30 days, he isn’t doing well,” Mr Obud said.
The change.org petition he created earlier this year has garnered more than 30,000 signatures.
“No one wants him released, they should stamp his papers never to be released so the families don’t have to relive the memories each time he’s up for parole.”
“He doesn’t deserve it and has done nothing in the last 30 years to prove he does.
“He was sentenced to three life sentences, but he’s only doing time for one and people are upset with that.”
Frankston state Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said parole was a matter for the independent parole board.
However, he said: “I think we are all of the same opinion on this issue”.
“With the greatest of respect to the families, that I have met, and our community, the last thing we want is for a politician’s public comment to be used by this offender to jeopardise the right outcome occurring.”
Mr Limbrick only went public about his connection to Natalie last year.
“I didn’t want it to be political,” he said.
“But as we got closer to the early release date I decided I needed to speak out.”
In 2021 he joined Brian and Carmel Russell and Natalie’s best friend Karen to launch a parliamentary petition to prevent Denyer’s release.