James Vlassakis, one of three men convicted in the notorious Snowtown “bodies in barrels” murders, has been approved for release on parole after serving more than 26 years in prison. The South Australia Court of Appeal upheld a recent parole board decision, rejecting a state government effort to block his release.

The Snowtown killings, which took place between 1992 and 1999 in low-income suburbs north of Adelaide, resulted in the deaths of 11 or 12 people. Many of the victims’ dismembered bodies were discovered in 1999 stored in barrels filled with acid, hidden inside an unused bank vault in the small town of Snowtown. The case drew national attention and was later portrayed in books and a 2011 film.

Vlassakis, now 46, was 18 years old when the murders began. He admitted guilt to four counts of murder, including the killing of his half-brother and stepbrother. He cooperated extensively with prosecutors, providing critical testimony against the ringleader John Bunting and another accomplice, Robert Joe Wagner, which helped secure their convictions. Both Bunting and Wagner received life sentences without the possibility of parole. Another associate, Mark Ray Haydon, was also implicated in the killings.

The motives behind the murders were driven by Bunting’s twisted view of purging society of people he deemed undesirable, including those who were disabled, homosexual, overweight, drug users, or suspected pedophiles. Vlassakis said he was groomed by Bunting, describing his first impression of the man as polite and well-mannered, which belied the brutal acts Bunting orchestrated.

Vlassakis was initially granted parole last year after completing the minimum term of his life sentence, but the state government successfully appealed this decision, delaying his release. The recent court ruling restored the parole board’s original decision.

As part of his parole conditions, Vlassakis is prohibited from contacting the victims’ families or speaking to the media. Sarah Quick, South Australia’s Commissioner for Victims’ Rights, acknowledged the emotional difficulty this decision has caused for those affected, describing the period as one of shock, grief, and anxiety. She noted that while the families were distressed, they were appreciative that their concerns were heard throughout the parole process.

Vlassakis now faces the challenges of reintegration into society after spending much of his life in prison. The ruling marks the latest development in one of Australia’s most infamous criminal cases, which continues to resonate with the communities and victims’ families involved.