Mystery surrounds death of high-profile murderer in Holtze prison

MYSTERY surrounds the death of convicted murderer Chris Malyschko in Holtze prison

Chris Malyschko has died in Holtze prison. Picture: NT Police/ Mandatory Murder by Steven Schubert

MYSTERY surrounds the death of convicted murderer Chris Malyschko in Holtze prison.

No details about the death have been released but crime scene detectives were at Holtze Correctional Facility on Tuesday.

Malyschko had served eight years of a life sentence for the killing of Ray Niceforo in 2011 in Katherine.

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The murder was a contract killing taken out at the behest of Malyschko’s mother, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was released on parole several years ago.

Niceforo was the estranged partner of Malyschko’s mother, Bronwyn Buttery, and subjected her to physical and emotional abuse.

An NT Corrections Department insider told the NT News of the death.

NT Police issued a statement about the death, only saying a 31-year-old man died at the Darwin prison.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said paramedics were called to the prison at 8am.

They were not required to transport anyone to Royal Darwin Hospital.

Zak Grieve is flanked by NT Police during a visit to the scene where Ray Niceforo was murdered. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

Malyschko was sentenced to prison in 2013 with a non-parole period of 18 years, back dated to October 27, 2011.

The then 24-year-old had moved from South Australia to Katherine to help his mum at the laundromat to support her and in an effort to save up money for his wedding.

Malyschko and Darren “Spider” Halfpenny, bludgeoned Niceforo to death with a shifting spanner in his home before dumping his body in a ditch beside the road leading to Katherine Gorge.

Controversially, their mate Zak Grieve, who bailed from the murder plot at the 11th hour, was also convicted of Niceforo’s murder.

Under mandatory sentencing he was given a 20-year non-parole period.

In his sentencing remarks Justice Dean Mildren said “it does not really matter in one sense” that Grieve pulled out of the murder, as under the law he was guilty because he did not try to stop the crime he had planned to take part in.

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In December of last year, the NT Administrator Vicki O’Halloran wrote to Grieve’s legal team telling them she had granted the prerogative of mercy, reducing his non-parole period to 12 years.

It means he will be eligible for release in 2023.

Police said a file would be prepared for the coroner.

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Since the 2017/18 financial year seven people have died while in prison.