‘Terrifying’: Victims’ last-minute plea to keep cold-blooded killer behind bars

The families of three young women murdered by infamous serial killer Paul Denyer are pleading with Victoria’s parole board to keep him locked up.

Family and friends of the young, innocent women killed by Paul Denyer are sleepless in the lead-up to his parole hearing.

Broken friends and family of the women murdered by Paul Denyer three decades ago have laid bare their ongoing “torture” in statements to the parole board as it considers freeing the cold-blooded killer from jail.

The board is on Tuesday set to meet to decide whether Denyer, dubbed the Frankston Serial Killer, should be released back onto the streets as he becomes eligible for parole 30 years on from murdering three innocent women at random.

Elizabeth Stevens, 18, Debbie Fream, 22, and Natalie Russell, 17, were all killed over a harrowing seven-week stretch in the winter of 1993.

The Herald Sun can reveal those who shared close relationships with the victims were asked to respond to two questions in impact statements submitted to the board and to be heard by Denyer: What has the impact been on you? If he was granted parole, what conditions would you suggest?

Karen (right) has been battling mental and physical anguish since her best friend’s murder. Picture: David Crosling

Karen, Natalie’s best friend at the time of her murder, said she has conveyed to the board the mental and physical anguish she suffers.

“We’re all in pieces. We’re so sick. I’m awake at 3am. I might be lucky to get a little sleep between 11pm-3am,” said Karen, who asked for her last name not to be used.

“It seems a bit trivial, but food intolerance caused by the stress – my stomach doesn’t work properly.

“This is the impact it’s had on me, my children, my relationships, my workplace.”

Karen said her statement also outlined her fear of Denyer being freed and such a verdict would be insulting.

Vikki Petraitis, a crime author, was on patrol with police the night Natalie was murdered.

She’s followed the story since, becoming close with Natalie’s now-elderly parents, Brian and Carmel, and releasing a podcast series on the murders in March.

Ms Petraitis helped Brian and Carmel craft their impact statements, conveying their fear that even if Denyer was placed under restrictions – such as being barred from the Frankston area – he could kill again.

Family and friends of victims say Paul Denyer could kill again. Picture: supplied

At the time of offending Denyer tormented those close to him, stabbing a neighbour’s cats, furniture and clothing, before expanding out to women at random.

“If you put him in a country town or another suburb, he goes next door, and that is terrifying,” Ms Petratis said.

“So when you start to talk about conditions of parole, where do you put him? I made sure that was conveyed (in Natalie’s parents’ statement).”

MP David Limbrick, who was Natalie’s boyfriend at that time, said he floated targeting Denyer with new laws that ensure he is kept behind bars but felt the government was “very reluctant to do something like that”.

When Hoddle St killer Julian Knight became eligible for parole in 2014, the Napthine government implemented a specific law to keep him jailed until death, or is so frail he poses no community risk.

Laws targeting Russell St bomber Craig Minogue were also enforced after he made his own bid to be freed in 2016.

Premier Daniel Andrews on Friday described Denyer as “an evil individual” who “fundamentally belongs” behind bars, but stopped short of committing to reform which would ban the killer from parole.

Jake was only 12 days old when his mother was viciously murdered by Denyer. Picture: supplied.

“These are matters for the adult parole board … I’ll leave it to them to make their judgment and then we will be in a clear position to respond once that judgment’s been made,” Mr Andrews said.

When Debbie was murdered, her son Jake Blair was just 12 days old.

Jake says while Denyer took his Mum’s life away, he was starved of a significant part of his own life, too.

“There’s been times I’ve been hysterical and distraught. Not having a mother there to point me in the right direction,” Jake said.

“I’m surprised they’re even considering parole. I’m a little worried. It’s a bit fear-filling. I’m just being strong-headed about it.

Nathan Oud, whose sister Tracey was friends with Elizabeth, started an online petition pushing for Denyer to be locked up for life.

“She was a real bubbly girl, always up for a laugh,” Mr Oud said of Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, just 18, was killed by Denyer months into her move from Tasmania. Picture: supplied

Natalie was taken off her usual walking track on her way home from school. Picture: supplied.

“Denyer deserves to stay in prison. With a bit of luck, they’ll realise he has no remorse.

“The best result is that they stamp the papers for him never to be released. We’ll have a few restless nights.”

Mr Oud’s petition has attracted more than 40k signatures.

Ex-homicide squad boss Charlie Bezzina said Denyer would “kill again” should he be freed.

“The victims were snatched off the street and brutally murdered. You feel for the families and the anguish they have to feel going through it all again this week.

“You have flashbacks of the scenes where the women were found. You never stop reflecting on what they would’ve gone through. It is just horrifying.”

Mr Bezzina agreed with the notion of enacting legislation specific to Denyer to keep him locked up until death.

“That would put the families at rest,” he said. “Denyer should die in jail.”

The adult parole board said it couldn’t comment on prisoners.