Karl Stefanovic has unleashed over news that a sadistic serial killer who killed three young women could be released from jail within days.
Paul Denyer was given three life sentences for the brutal murders of three young women in Frankston on Melbourne‘s outskirts 30 years ago.
His victims included TAFE student Elizabeth Stevens 18, Deborah Fream, 22, who’d given birth 12 days earlier and schoolgirl Natalie Russell, who was 17 at the time.
Now aged 50, Denyer could be days away from freedom after his 30 years of non-parole period ended.
The families of his victims were told last year Denyer had applied for parole and that his earliest possible release date this week.
The Today show host has echoed calls for Denyer to remain behind bars.
Schoolgirl Natalie Russell was among three young women Paul Denyer killed within months in 1993
‘Some of this is uncomfortable, but we need to say it,’ Stefanovic began.
‘Paul Denyer stalked the streets of Melbourne. Plucking young women at random and brutally killing them.
‘Paul Denyer is sadistic. He’s a threat to society. He’s never shown remorse. He never provided a reason for killing. Three murders, 30 years behind bars.’
It’s likely Denyer could have claimed more lives had he not been arrested weeks after the three murders, according to police.
‘Now, he’s eligible for parole. Can you believe it?’ Stefanovic fumed.
‘He didn’t show any remorse.’
Elizabeth Stevens, 18, was strangled and had her throat slashed by Denyer on her way home from the library on the night of June 11, 1993.
A month later, Deborah Fream, 22, was out buying milk to make an omelette for dinner when she was held at gunpoint in her car, abducted and strangled to death by Denyer. She had given birth to her baby son Jake 12 days earlier.
The last of his victims Natalie Russell, 17, was walking home from school when she was dragged from train tracks, stabbed and hidden in scrubland on July 30.
Frankston serial killer Paul Denyer (pictured behind bars) could be granted parole within days
Today show host Karl Stefanovic (pictured) is furious that the serial killer could be released from jail after 30 years behind bars
Several other women were attacked by Denyer but survived.
Denyer began identifying as a transgender woman while behind bars but has since reverted to identifying as Paul.
Federal minister Bill Shorten acknowledged 30 years doesn’t feel long enough for the families of Denyer’s victims.
‘It’s a state court system issue, but thinking about it, 30 years, on one hand, sounds a long time,’ he told the Today show.
‘But for those three women, they’re gone for an eternity and their families live with that pain daily.’
Victoria’s confidentiality laws prevent the Department of Justice and Community Safety from confirming if a prisoner is being considered for parole or notifying the public when they’re freed.
Gus Worland agreed everyone needs to know that Denyer could soon be out on the streets again.
‘Even if he did show remorse, he should remain behind bars for the rest of his life,’
‘The people have got to know what’s going on as he’s got to stay behind bars.’
The first of Denyer’s murder victims Elizabeth Stevens (pictured) was strangled and had her throat slashed
The families of Paul Denyer’s families remain in the dark as to whether and when the serial killer will be freed
The friends and families of Denyer’s victims are now demanding more information about whether and when he will be freed.
‘He’s just an evil animal,’ Natalie’s dad Brian Russell told Nine News.
‘It’s frightening, it feels like we are in a tunnel with no ending,’
His wife Carmen added: ‘We don’t get told anything.’
‘It feels like we have done the wrong thing.’
