Miranda Downes’ killer released from jail
The killer of prominent Sydney screenwriter Miranda Downes has been released from jail on parole, outraging her family who fought to keep him behind bars.
Ernest Knibb, 72, was released on February 4 from Rockhampton's Capricornia Correctional Centre to an aged care hostel in Brisbane's east.
Knibb was jailed 26 years ago for the 1985 murder of Ms Downes at Buchan Point, north of Cairns.
Ms Downe's family said they only learned of Knibb's release when contacted by Seven News this week.
Her cousin Dr Felicity Benn said old feelings of anger she had against Kinbb resurfaced when she heard he had been released.
"I am appalled that he has been released. My uncle Allan, Miranda's father, passed away from cancer and fought to the bitter end not to have Knibb released. The circumstances surrounding her death were so traumatic, it was incredibly distressing for my uncle and I don't think he ever recovered from it. It was a very destructive part of his life," said Dr Benn.
"It just came as a shock. I just would have liked some warning. There was no remorse (from Knibb)... no evidence of a conscience. There was nothing that would redeem his release back into the community," she said.
Dr Benn said her uncle successfully fought against Knibb's release when he became eligible for parole in 2000.
"Now Knibb is free to roam ... we’re not happy," she said.
Ms Downes' murder captured the nation's attention, partly because of her work as the screenwriter who penned two Australian mini-series.
Dr Benn said the murder of her cousin, known affectionately as "Mandy" to family, resonated with so many people because she was "incredibly talented, spirited and a nice person".
"She spoke seven languages. She was amazing, very clever and such a nice person, she was never nasty. Mandy was so intelligent," Dr Benn said.
Ms Downes was murdered within hours of arriving in Cairns from Sydney for a holiday with friends at Buchan Point on Saturday August 3, 1985.
She went jogging on the beach, and when she failed to return for dinner, her friends raised the alarm.
Early the next morning, her running shoes were found at the base of a hill and a police dog recovered her tracksuit pants in a drain.
Her battered and naked body was found lying face down at the water's edge of the beach soon after.
Seventeen months later, Knibb was arrested for her murder.
The official cause of her death was drowning, however police claimed Knibb ran her down in his Ford Bronco, striking her from behind as she jogged along the beach.
Police also alleged Knibb then sexually assaulted and strangled her before leaving her to die in the sea as the tide came in.
Knibb was jailed for life in 1987 after a Cairns jury found him guilty.
He has always maintained his innocence and unsuccessfully appealed to the Queensland Court of Criminal Appeal against his conviction.
He then applied to the High Court to grant him leave to appeal his conviction but failed in his bid.
Queensland Corrective Services said they had notified a person listed on the Victim's Register about the parole board’s decision in relation to Knibb and the date he was released from prison.
QCS Commissioner Marlene Morison said there was only one registration associated with Knibb on the register but the commission was not allowed to identify them.
"Verbal discussions also took place between the registered party and the Victims Register after notification of the parole decision," she said.
Seven News can also reveal prison authorities placed Knibb in the same hostel which houses a dangerous child sex offender.
The pedophile, 74, is monitored with a fitted GPS bracelet as part of Queensland dangerous sex offenders laws and is not allowed to leave the complex.
Ms Morison confirmed the men's living arrangements saying decisions on the placement of offenders were made on a case-by-case basis.
Part of Knibb's parole conditions was not to associate with the sex offender, she said, and QCS had notified the Parole Board of their living arrangements.
"Placements follow extensive individual risk assessments and also take into consideration a number of other important factors including parole conditions, offender antecedents such as age, mobility and health, and accommodation suitability assessments," Ms Morison said in a statement.
In Knibb's case, a methodical individual risk assessment was undertaken prior to his release, she said.
"Following an accommodation suitability assessment, he (Knibb) was placed at a unit-style accommodation facility for aged persons," Ms Morison said.
Both men were subject to a "comprehensive management and surveillance strategy", she said.
Knibb today refused requests from Seven News for an interview.
