Tracey Wigginton
Tracey Wigginton | |
---|---|
Born | 1965 |
Criminal charge | Murder |
Criminal penalty | Life imprisonment |
Criminal status | Paroled |
Conviction(s) | Murder |
Tracey Wigginton (born 1965), known as the "Lesbian Vampire Killer", is an Australian murderer who achieved notoriety for killing a man in 1989, supposedly in order to drink his blood.
Murder
Wigginton was the only one of the four co-accused who pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. Therefore, there was no trial and few details were disclosed to the court as to why this incident occurred. Her then-girlfriend, Lisa Ptaschinski, and two other women fueled rumors about Wigginton having vampiric tendencies, stating that the reason for the murder was to enable the drinking of the man's blood.[1]
On the night of the murder, Wigginton, Ptaschinski and two other women lured 47-year-old Edward Baldock to a park on the banks of the Brisbane River. There, Wigginton stabbed him 27 times, nearly severing his head.[2]
In 1991, she was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Supreme Court of Queensland with a minimum of 13 years. In 2006 she assaulted a fellow inmate and a prison guard.[3]
She made four unsuccessful parole applications until 2011 when the parole board granted her application.[4]
Aftermath
The case still commands strong media interest and public reaction. In April 2008 it has been reported that Lisa Ptaschinski, one of the other killers, will be released from prison after nearly 20 years. Under the resettlement leave program, Ptaschinski will be given a maximum of 12 hours leave every two months for six months.[5]
However, it was later reported that the earlier reports of possible release were false.[6]
Wigginton was released from prison on January 11, 2012 after a successful parole bid.
References
- ↑ "Court convicts two women in Australian 'vampire trial'" - Toronto Star
- ↑ "'Lesbian vampire killer' in minimum security prison" - AAP General News
- ↑ "'Vampire killer' Tracey Wigginton loses bid to get out of jail" - Herald Sun
- ↑ "Lesbian Vampire killer Tracey Wigginton wins parole, expected to be free in weeks" - Courier Mail
- ↑ "Brisbane's 'Vampire Killer' to be freed from jail" - Courier Mail
- ↑ "Vampire killer release 'not approved'" - Sydney Morning Herald