Bournemouth murderer released from prison

Russell Causley has never revealed where his wife's body is

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 15th Feb 2023
Last updated 15th Feb 2023

A man from Bournemouth, who murdered his wife almost 40 years ago, has been released from prison.

Russell Causley was handed a life sentence for killing Carole Packman, who disappeared in from their home in Westbourne in 1985.

He has never revealed where he hid her body.

Causley was released in 2020 after serving more than 23 years behind bars for the murder but was sent back to jail the following year when he breached his licence conditions.

The Parole Board ruled last month that he was suitable to be released from prison again.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed today that he has been freed from HMP Bristol.

In January, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab - who described Causley as a 'calculated killer' who 'callously prolonged the suffering' of Ms Packman's loved ones by 'refusing to reveal the whereabouts of her body' - considered appealing against the decision to release him.

But the MoJ later confirmed the Government would not challenge the ruling because there were no legal grounds to do so.

Parole Board decisions to release prisoners can only be challenged if there is an error of law or if there is evidence the process has been followed incorrectly - the same threshold as for judicial reviews.

Causley will be subject to licence conditions, including being required to live at a certain address as well as facing restrictions on his movements, activities and who he contacts.

An MoJ spokeswoman said:

"We know this will be an incredibly difficult time for Carole Packman's family, but Russell Causley will be under close supervision for the rest of his life and can be recalled to prison if he breaches the strict conditions of his release.

"Our parole reforms will stand up for the rights of victims in cases like this, making public safety the overriding factor in parole decisions and adding a Ministerial veto on release of the most serious offenders."

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