Michael Vernon murdered his love rival in a fit of jealousy, he’s now out of jail after 12 years

A jealous killer who murdered his love rival in a fit of anger has been released from Risdon Prison after a dozen years behind bars – and plans to return to his hobby of racing pigeons.

Michael Vernon Lowe in 2012.

A jealous Tasmanian man who murdered his love rival in a fit of anger has been released from Risdon Prison after a dozen years behind bars.

Michael Vernon Lowe, now aged 63, has now been paroled to return to his own home – living with his adult son and returning to his hobby of racing pigeons.

Lowe stabbed 37-year-old Darren John Booth to death at Kings Meadows during May 2012 in a fit of jealousy and anger, after Lowe became suspicious his ex-girlfriend had started a new relationship with someone else.

Michael Vernon Lowe stabbed his love rival three times to the chest, severing a vein near his heart.

Lowe, who carried a knife with him in his work as a storeman, and also used it while hunting to skin wallabies, had arrived at his girlfriend’s house to confront her about their relationship.

But Mr Booth came to the front door and said “enough is enough”.

Upon seeing his rival, Lowe’s fears were confirmed and he removed the folding pocket knife from the pouch he carried on his belt – stabbing Mr Booth three times to the left side of his chest.

His victim – a father of four – died from blood loss, mostly internal, after one of the stab wounds severed a vein near his heart.

Lowe was jailed for 20 years, with a non-parole period of 12 years.

On May 12 this year, his minimum term in prison expired – with the Parole Board of Tasmania granting him his freedom.

In its newly-published decision, the board said Lowe had prospects for rehabilitation, and had expressed remorse for both his victim and his family.

The board said during his parole interview, Lowe told the board of the shame he felt over the murder, and the hurt and sorrow he had caused.

Tasmania Police forensic officers collecting evidence in the backyard of the Pinkard Street, Kings Meadows, property where Darren Booth was murdered.

It said he had been a “model prisoner” while incarcerated and was most recently classified as minimum security, with no history of internal offending.

Lowe was employed throughout his sentence, and was most recently the leading hand in the kitchen bakery, with prison staff describing him as an “exceptional inmate” with a strong work ethic.

He has now been paroled to return to his own home, is living with his adult son, and has expressed his intentions of returning to his involvement of racing pigeons with his brother.

Lowe will remain on parole until 2032.

He is currently subject to electronic monitoring, a ban from contacting victims and certain other people, and a ban from attending any outlaw motorcycle gang or clubhouse.

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