Convicted murderer Sue Neill-Fraser to attend annual Bob Chappell Australia Day rally

On the 15th anniversary of his disappearance, a rally will be held in memory of Hobart medical physicist Bob Chappell. For the first time, the woman convicted of his murder will be present.

Bob Chappell sailing Four Winds in January 2009, just before his Australia Day disappearance.

It was exactly 15 years ago that medical physicist Bob Chappell disappeared into the River Derwent on Australia Day 2009, his body never found.

A decade-and-a-half later, and for the first time, the woman convicted of murdering him will join a Hobart rally on Saturday which will call for an inquiry into why she was blamed for his death.

Sue Neill-Fraser, 69, was released from prison in October 2022 after serving 13 years for murdering her partner of 18 years.

The grandmother is still serving a parole period of 10 years for a crime her sentencing judge, Chief Justice Alan Blow, described as “intentional and purposeful” with the aim of financial betterment, and possibly to take full ownership of the couple’s yacht, the Four Winds.

However the grandmother has a huge support group that has always believed in her innocence, and has campaigned yearly for a commission of inquiry into Tasmania’s justice system.

Neill-Fraser is barred, under the conditions of her parole, from speaking publicly at such an event – but will have several high-profile people to do the talking for her.

Rosie Crumpton-Crook, the Sue Neill-Fraser Support Group president, said the yearly Australia Day rally to mark Mr Chappell’s disappearance was now held on January 27 in respect of First Nations Australians.

Bob Chappell, the year before he disappeared.

She said the yearly anniversary of his death was difficult for Neill-Fraser.

“Australia Day is obviously quite painful for her. I think as the years go by, it’s less painful, but it’s obviously still very, very significant,” Ms Crumpton-Crook said.

“We talk about how there hasn’t been justice for Sue, but there also hasn’t been justice for Bob – because his real murderers have not been called to account. And I think that weighs heavily with her.”

Ms Crumpton-Crook said Neill-Fraser “definitely wants” a commission of inquiry, and despite her new-found freedom, was frequently “a bit despondent wondering if she will ever get her name cleared”.

Sue Neill- Fraser Support Group president Rosie Crumpton-Crook. Picture: Chris Kidd

“I think that for many people, the sense of urgency has gone because Sue is now out of prison. But what we are saying is that Sue is out of prison, but she’s certainly not free. She still has to serve her sentence on parole, which has a lot of restrictions,” she said.

“She’s still a convicted murderer. She still has to walk around in public with people who recognise her, who believe she’s a murderer.

“I say to people, the pressure is as strong as ever. We can’t relax because Sue’s out of prison because there’s too much at stake, we’ve got to have this properly investigated.”

Speaking at the rally will be Sydne Ketcham, the mother of Neill-Fraser’s first husband, Brett Meeker.

Ms Ketcham will address a rumour that Neill-Fraser murdered Mr Meeker, who she says is “alive and well” and living in the Channel district.

Sue Neill-Fraser's former mother-in-law, Sydne Ketcham, will speak at a rally calling for Neill-Fraser's exoneration. Ms Ketcham will address a rumour that the convicted murderer also murdered her son, Brett Meeker, who she says is “alive and well”. Picture: Supplied

“Although Sue and Brett separated, they were always on good terms and Brett has been supportive of Sue right the way through,” Ms Crumpton-Crook said.

Also speaking at the rally are Anglican Minister and long-time supporter, Reverend John Langlois, and Peter Lavac, a pro bono lawyer for the Eden Westbrook family.

The rally will be held on Saturday January 27 at Parliament House lawns, from 11am to 1pm.

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