Snowtown murderer James Vlassakis applies for release on paroleExclusive by James Wakelin and Jordanna SchrieverTopic:Homicide1h ago1 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 9:19amThe Snowtown bodies-in-the-barrels killings have been described as the worst serial murders in Australia. (ABC News: Stephan Hammat)In short:One of the Snowtown killers, James Vlassakis, has applied for release on parole.His testimony helped to convict serial killers John Bunting and Robert Wagner.What's next?A hearing is at least eight weeks away.abc.net.au/news/sa-snowtown-murderer-james-vlassakis-parole-application/105241020Link copiedShareShare articleConvicted Snowtown murderer James Vlassakis has applied to be released on parole, the Parole Board has told the ABC.Vlassakis was the youngest of the four perpetrators involved in South Australia's "bodies-in-the-barrels murders" between 1992 and 1999, and was the key prosecution witness.His testimony helped convict John Bunting and Robert Wagner, who were jailed for 11 and 10 murders respectively, as well as accomplice Mark Ray Haydon, who was released into the community last year after serving a 25-year sentence.SA Parole Board chair Frances Nelson KC has confirmed Vlassakis has made the application and said a hearing was at least eight weeks away.Vlassakis, who is now aged in his mid 40s, was 19 when he committed the crimes and was found guilty of being involved in four of the murders.He was jailed for life, but because he had helped authorities, he was given a 26-year non-parole period.His image remains suppressed to this day.In light of the parole application, the commissioner for Victims' Rights, Sarah Quick, said she had consulted with the families of the victims and had made a submission to the board.The old Snowtown bank building where some of the bodies were found in May 1999. (ABC News: Patrick Martin)Vlassakis's role and involvement were given prominence in the Snowtown murders movie — a story told from his perspective.He was pulled into the serial killings by his stepfather Bunting, who lived with him and his mother in Adelaide's northern suburbs.Nearly all of the victims of the murders were friends or family of the perpetrators.In May 1999, SA Police discovered the decomposing remains of several victims in six plastic barrels hidden in an old bank vault at Snowtown.Frances Nelson KC has told the ABC Snowtown killer James Vlassakis has applied for release on parole. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall)When Haydon was released on parole last year, his conditions of release included electronic monitoring, a curfew and a ban on attending licensed premises.He was also banned from contact with his co-offenders and the families of the victims.Ms Nelson last year said each of the men convicted in relation to the murders was reviewed annually by the Parole Board.At the time she said neither Bunting nor Wagner had shown any contrition for their crimes."They're obviously very unpleasant people," Ms Nelson said."I don't get the impression that either of them is particularly remorseful for what they did."Posted 1h ago1 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 9:19amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesCoalition costings reveal worse budget for first two years under Dutton compared to LaborTopic:Federal GovernmentPhoto shows Peter Dutton and Angus Taylor press conferenceLiberals granted injunction in spat with council over corflutes in KooyongLIVEPhoto shows Monique Ryan Amelia Hamer pre-poll signsVaping rules to be eased under Coalition governmentTopic:VapingPhoto shows a woman holds a vape as she blows smoke out of her mouth while walking outdoorsGroup that organised election volunteers denies links to BeijingTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Steven Mao and Jessica Yuan anding out how-to-vote cards wearing Monique Ryan shirts.Moment before officer shoots Bondi Junction stabber shown in new CCTVTopic:CrimePhoto shows CCTV of a man running with a knife in a shopping centre.Related storiesOne Snowtown offender is out, could another get parole next year? 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