Parole denied: no release for Lisa Blakie’s murderer

WELLINGTON: The man jailed for murdering Timaru woman Lisa Blakie has been denied parole again after a hearing this week.

Ms Blakie (20) was murdered in February 2000 as she hitchhiked from Christchurch to Greymouth.

Her body was found on Waitangi Day, weighted down by a boulder in the river near Arthurs Pass.

Darfield man Timothy Taylor was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life in prison.

He has always maintained his innocence.

In 2015, Ms Blakie’s father Doug called for police to investigate a new suspect.

He no longer believes Taylor is responsible for his daughter’s murder.

Doug Blakie appeared before the Parole Board before Taylor’s hearing this week to ask for him to be released from prison.

However, the board rejected Taylor’s bid for freedom.

A Parole Board spokesman confirmed Taylor’s hearing took place on Thursday.

‘‘The board has formally declined parole for Timothy Taylor,’’ he said.

‘‘A full written decision outlining the board’s reasons will be available in the next two weeks.’’

Taylor was also denied parole in 2015 and 2016.

At his 2016 hearing, he was described in a psychologist’s report as being of high risk of general offending involving criminal attitudes, violence, substance abuse and gang relationships.

‘‘[He] has a very significant way to go before he could be eligible for release,’’ the decision stated.

It also detailed Taylor’s past criminal history, ‘‘involving dishonesty as well as rape of a female in 1986 and revealed details of his involvement in bringing contraband goods into prison in October 2015, for which he incurred a misconduct and a 28day forfeiture penalty’’.

In 2015 an investigation by MediaWorks current affairs show 3D revealed another man who may have played a part in Ms Blakie’s death was living in Australia.

3D claimed a stray pubic hair found on her body that was never identified might have belonged to him.

At the time Ms Blakie’s father admitted he’d always had his doubts about Taylor.

‘‘I believe he [Taylor] was involved and he had a part to play, but I always had doubts that he was the one that killed Lisa.’’ His suspicions were echoed by a former police officer, Bridget McMenamin, who had worked on the case. — NZME