Double-murderer Mark Lundy to be released from prison
Thursday, 17 April 2025
Double-murderer Mark Lundy will be released from prison after convincing the parole board he can be safely managed in the community regardless of his unwavering claims he did nothing wrong.
The 66-year-old has spent more than two decades claiming to be innocent of the murders of his wife Christine Marie Lundy and daughter Amber Grace Lundy who were bludgeoned to death at their Palmerston North home in August 2000.
Lundy appeared shocked but relieved when the four-member panel told him he would be granted parole when he made his appearance before the board at Tongariro Prison on Thursday.
He has served more than 23 years for his crimes, and been denied parole on two previous occasions.
Seated in a grey T-shirt between his case manager and a Corrections’ prison guard, Lundy thanked panel convenor Kathryn Snook as she delivered their decision and reminded him of several strict conditions he would need to abide by.
His lawyer Ella Burton told the board that since his last appearance, Lundy derived a safety plan that took into account any “theoretical” situations he might encounter outside the wire.
This included triggers like relationship or financial stressors, and a habit of isolating himself or bottling things up when life became hard.
Lundy said he had been working through these issues with a psychologist and learned the importance of putting himself first.
He had a habit of always helping others to his own detriment, he said, but now he could establish boundaries and knew it was “OK to say no” when people asked for help.
He said his relationship with Christine Lundy was a loving partnership, and although he used alcohol and sex workers, it was not because of any issues in their marriage.
Jones said he was happy Lundy had been released, and it had been a long time coming.
He thought the parole board would 'find an excuse to deny him' parole, but Lundy had done everything they had asked of him.
For those with any concerns about Lundy's release, Jones had a simple message: 'He's a lamb. He won't cause any issues. They won't even know he's out. He'll keep very much to himself. He will obey all the rules he has to. The community is safe.'
Jones stressed that when Lundy was released for 18 months after the Privy Council quashed his conviction in 2013, and his retrial in 2015, there were never any problems.
'Once his picture wasn't plastered all over the TV, people forgot, and he was just another face in the crowd. And I'm sure that will happen again. It will just take a bit of time.“
However, Jones stressed the fight to prove Lundy was innocent of killing his wife and daughter would not stop, and he had an application being considered by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates potential wrongful convictions.
'This isn't over by a long chalk. We've got a long way to go yet.'
Burton said the board needed to be careful not to place too much emphasis on whether or not he had made any admission of guilt as his risk of reoffending had been assessed as low.
This assessment had taken into account his ongoing denials, and his safety plan addressed any risks that could arise.
She said he had been an exemplary prisoner who was engaged in fulltime work as a carpenter, and held managerial roles that included liaising with tradesmen.
He also had a significant amount of savings and a place to live with supportive whānau.
In her opinion, there was nothing before the board that would hinder his release.
Lundy accepted his use of alcohol had been problematic in the past, but said he only drank to fit in.
He joined theatre and rugby groups where this was promoted and he wanted to feel like he belonged. His use of sex workers was only after he had been drinking, he said.
He was asked about his time on bail in 2015 while awaiting retrial, and acknowledged it was a mistake to return to the Manawatū to help a friend.
He now realised the harm he could have caused to loved ones of his victims and said he was willing to stay away for good.
One of the “biggest mistakes” he made during that time was not opening up to his family about the emotional toll the retrial was taking on him, he said.
The panel heard there had been no guided releases for Lundy since his last appearance before the board, but this was due to resource issues at the prison.
His case manager said he was involved in several special projects, but they had been unable to find a role in their work to release programme that matched Lundy’s skillset.
Lundy admitted life on the outside would be hard to grapple with, but said he had the support and tools needed to make it work.
The panel ultimately agreed to grant him parole in May with conditions that included a curfew, electronic monitoring, not to enter the Manawatū, Rangitīkei, Nelson or Hastings areas, and not to consume drugs or alcohol.
A condition not to engage with media was also imposed.
Lundy first became eligible for parole in 2022 but was unsuccessful after failing to prepare a safety plan.
He said he could not identify any triggers to his offending as he had not committed the murders.
He was first found guilty of killing his wife and daughter at a trial in Palmerston North in 2002 and, again, after the Privy Council quashed his convictions, at a retrial in Wellington in 2015.
A group formed to support Lundy and prove his innocence paid tribute to the Parole Board for recognising the difficulties Lundy would experience if released.
A spokesperson for the group For Amber and Christine, Truth Uncovered About the Lundys (FACTUAL) said Lundy would likely face sensationalised media coverage, provocative remarks from ill-informed members of the public, and gossip.
The spokesperson said Lundy’s supporters would do everything possible to ensure Lundy was able to abide by his parole conditions.
The group had never lost sight of their aim to find the truth of who committed the murders, and were grateful to the Criminal Cases Review Commission for continuing to investigate his case.