Murderer quietly caring for rabbit while awaiting one-on-one treatment

Saturday, 18 July 2026

Convicted murderer Lewis Robert Blackburn has likened himself to a pet prison rabbit he cares for, who is also slowing down behind bars.

Blackburn was imprisoned for life in 2006 for strangling to death his de facto partner Christine Hindson, 45, in her South New Brighton home on September 7, 2005.

Afterwards, he nailed her body into a wooden chest and drove around with it in his van for two weeks before dumping her near a suburban Christchurch walking track.

On Friday, the Parole Board heard Blackburn was still on a waiting list to receive one-on-one intervention, but he was probably nearing the top of that list.

He would need to see an expert and complete other reassessments and re-referrals to inform a risk management plan before the board could consider his release.

“On a day-to-day basis, Mr Blackburn, how are you getting on?” the Parole Board questioned.

“I’m doing well thanks,” Blackburn replied, explaining that he spent his days reading books, listening to his CD player and exercising.

“I keep my days busy and I shoot basketball hoops just to try and lose a bit of weight … I’ve lost 10kg, so I’m trying to get [to be] the best person I can.”

Blackburn said he had a job looking after a pet rabbit, which he made sure had fresh food and water every day and who loved cuddles.

“He’s like me – I’m getting old. He’s getting old too, ’cause he actually moves slower than he used to move. You know, I’m moving slower, so we’re a good team, him and me.”

Blackburn said he found all the re-assessments for parole very confusing, and felt he was “going round and round in circles and getting nowhere”.

Others present at the meeting agreed his circumstances were confusing.

A prison worker said Blackburn spent his time quietly, was well-behaved and polite, but fixated on his crime and how he thought of himself.

He had begun to view himself more positively after being allowed a chaperoned release in which he went to a field, the worker said.

“He’s very easy to get on with, very amenable, well-liked with staff because of his demeanour, and very helpful around the unit.”

Blackburn was denied parole, and the Parole Board scheduled another meeting with him in May 2027.