Convicted double murderer treated for cancer

Mark Lundy during his murder trial at the Palmerston North High Court in 2002. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Convicted double murderer Mark Lundy has been leaving prison for medical treatment, the Department of Corrections has confirmed today.

Lundy is serving a life sentence for the murders of his wife, Christine, and seven-year-old daughter Amber, in their Palmerston North home on August 29, 2000.

"The Department of Corrections can confirm that in the previous 12 months, prisoner Mark Lundy has had temporary removals for medical reasons. There have been no security concerns with any of these escorts," Corrections assistant regional manager of prison services Christine O'Brien-Smith said in a statement.

From time to time prisoners might be removed from prison for reasons including medical or compassionate grounds depending on various factors, she said.

"Factors include consideration of the prisoner's security classification, their release and parole eligibility dates, their behavioural record and the nature of the reason they are being removed for instance medical treatment."

Mr Lundy was accompanied by corrections officers and had custodial supervision at all times.

Mrs Lundy's brother, Glenn Weggery, who found the bodies of his sister and niece after the murders, said he had heard through a few people that Lundy had cancer, the Manawatu Standard newspaper reported.

- NZPA