Family of murdered schoolgirl warn Frankston serial killer will kill again if released

The family of a schoolgirl brutally murdered by a serial killer are pleading for him to remain behind bars after warning he will kill again if released.

The family of murdered schoolgirl Natalie Russell are pleading for Frankston serial killer Paul Denyer to remain behind bars after warning he will kill again if released.

Brian Russell appeared on Sunrise on Thursday morning to issue a desperate public plea to keep his daughter’s murderer locked up for the community’s protection.

His daughter Natalie was murdered by Denyer on July 30, 1993, when she was just 17 years old. Over seven terrifying weeks, Denyer also killed student ­Elizabeth Anne-Marie Stevens, 18, and young Seaford mother Debbie Fream, 22.

Brian and Carmel Russell are calling for the serial killer to remain in jail. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Dubbed the Frankston serial killer after terrorising the Melbourne community, Denyer was sentenced to life without parole in 1993. Later it was reduced to a non-parole period of 30 years, which is due to expire in June next year.

Mr Russell said he was “shocked” to learn his daughter’s killer could be eligible for parole even earlier, with a parole hearing scheduled for April.

“I think the whole idea of him even being considered for parole is ridiculous,” the grieving father told Channel 7’s Sunrise.

“He had a good trial and … had psychologists and psychiatrists and everybody agreed that he should never be allowed out into normal society.”

Paul Denyer enthusiastically confessed to the murders.

Mr Russell said the confessed killer had not demonstrated any regret for taking three lives and would pose a serious threat to the community if released.

“He showed no remorse,” Mr Russell emphasised.

“He openly stated during questioning that when he gets out of jail, he would just go ahead and kill again.”

More than 32,600 people have signed a petition calling for the serial murderer to remain behind bars for the rest of his life.

“Not one of these families involved will ever forget these young ladies, and the pain and loss will be with them forever, but knowing that this monster will never be released will at least give them a little piece of mind,” a family friend of slain student Ms Stevens wrote in the widely shared petition.

Natalie Russell was killed on her way home from school.

Ms Stevens was viciously attacked and murdered by Denyer after she got off a bus on her way home from the library on June 11, 1993.

A month later on July 8, young mother Ms Fream was also killed as she was ambushed by Denyer in her car after going out to buy milk.

A fortnight later Natalie was dragged into scrub and murdered as she walked home from school.

The family has renewed pleas for Denyer to remain locked up after they called for action last year, arguing the now 49-year-old would kill again if he was granted parole.

Debbie Fream, holding her son Jake, was just 22 years old when she was killed.

Elizabeth Stevens was 18 when she was murdered.

As the parole date approaches, Mr Russell said the family was hoping to garner support for the petition to keep Denyer safely behind bars.

It’s understood that should the parole board choose to release Denyer in 2023, he would be subject to supervision for the rest of his life.