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Susan Neill-Fraser parole hearing could result in her freedom, 13 years after the murder of Bob Chappell

A yacht, a missing body, and a woman convicted of murder who continues to insist she's innocent. 

For 13 and a half years, the murder of Bob Chappell has gripped Tasmania — and beyond.

But it is the name of the woman found guilty of killing the 65-year-old that is arguably better known.

And later today, Susan Neill-Fraser could learn if a parole board will soon release her from prison. 

The saga began on Australia Day in 2009, when Neill-Fraser's partner of 18 years disappeared off his yacht, moored off the Hobart suburb of Sandy Bay.

No body or murder weapon were ever found. 

However, police did find the DNA of a 15-year-old then-homeless girl on board the vessel, known as the Four Winds. 

How it got there was never properly explained. 

In the years since Neill-Fraser was convicted, Meaghan Vass has changed her story several times, saying she was never on the yacht, or that she was there and someone else murdered Mr Chappell.

Seven months after Mr Chappell's mysterious disappearance, Neill-Fraser was arrested. 

The evidence was circumstantial, but it was enough for a jury to find her guilty of murder. 

Following her trial in 2010, she was sentenced to 26 years in prison with a non-parole of 18 years. 

After an appeal, it was reduced to 23 years with a non-parole of 13 years. 

Her case has, in part, become well-known because of a band of loyal supporters — many of whom have never met her — who have held rallies and stood on streets with signs proclaiming her innocence. 

Large billboards have also popped up over the years, including a prominent one in Hobart which reads: "Sue Who killed Bob?" — a reference to a podcast about the case.

The tale has also attracted the interest of 60 Minutes and was the subject of a documentary made by sympathisers, called Shadow of a Doubt.

And in 2017, the Tasmanian Theatre Company debuted a play about the case called An Inconvenient Woman.

Some people are convinced Neill-Fraser is innocent, including high-profile names such as federal MP Andrew Wilkie and former Tasmanian premier Lara Giddings.

The courts, though, have shut this notion down multiple times.

Over her 13 years in prison, there have been numerous failed appeals, with recent representation by high-profile barrister Robert Richter.

Her supporters previously insisted Neill-Fraser only wanted to leave prison as an innocent woman — meaning she would not apply for parole.

But at a rally in August, after a failed High Court appeal, her supporters announced she had applied for parole.

So how will it work?

The parole hearing is expected to go ahead on Friday, and by the end of the day, Neill-Fraser is likely to know her fate.

There will be four people on the Parole Board that she must convince. 

As part of the process, they must take into consideration:

  • The likelihood she'll reoffend
  • The protection of the public
  • Her rehabilitation
  • The judge's sentencing comments
  • How she behaved in prison
  • Any reports provided to the board
  • How likely she is to comply with parole conditions

While some jurisdictions have a "no body, no parole", rule, Tasmania is not one of them. 

But to get her freedom, Neill-Fraser is not required to admit guilt. 

After taking everything into account, the parole board can grant, defer or refuse the decision.

If she is successful, Neill-Fraser would likely be released about two weeks later.

If not, she will be able to apply again immediately, but it could take weeks or months for her application to be relisted.

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