Breaking: Snowtown killer's suppression order lifts after 25 years
The suppression order on Snowtown killer James Vlassakis has been lifted after 25 years by South Australia's highest court. Vlassakis, who was involved in the notorious 'bodies-in-the-barrels' murders, had previously given evidence against his accomplices, who are serving life sentences. He was granted parole last year, but that decision is currently under judicial review after being blocked by a commissioner.
- ▪James Vlassakis's image can now be revealed following the lifting of a suppression order.
- ▪He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 26 years for his role in the murders.
- ▪The Court of Appeal is reviewing a decision that blocked his parole after it was initially granted.
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| Original publisher | ABC News (Australia) |
| Canonical URL | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-19/suppression-order-lifts-on-snowtown-killer-james-vlassakis-image/106695276 |
| Publication time | Tue, 19 May 2026 06:33:09 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-19T06:49:57.288Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-19T06:49:57.288Z |
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Snowtown killer James Vlassakis's suppression order lifts after 25 yearsEBy Eva BlandisTopic:CourtsTue 19 May 2026 at 4:33pmTue 19 May 2026 at 4:33pmTue 19 May 2026 at 4:33pmSnowtown serial killer James Vlassakis in custody, in an image from ABC TV from the early 2000s. (ABC News)abc.net.au/news/suppression-order-lifts-on-snowtown-killer-james-vlassakis-image/106695276Link copiedShareShare articleSnowtown killer James Vlassakis's image can be revealed after a suppression order made 25 years ago was lifted by South Australia's highest court.The state's Court of Appeal today revoked the order on Vlassakis's image and description, which was imposed to protect his identity after he gave evidence against the two other killers — John Bunting and Robert Wagner.Bunting and Wagner are serving life…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).