Convicted murderer to be freed

File photo / NZ Herald

Convicted murderer James Dahlberg is to be freed after spending 20 years in prison for killing his estranged wife, Ann Urquhart in 1991.

The conviction was made largely on circumstantial evidence after police saw Dahlberg in the Golden Downs forest near Nelson, close to where Ms Urquhart's bloodstained clothes were found. Her body was never recovered.

Dahlberg, who has just turned 70, has continued to deny he was responsible for her death and say he cannot help her family find her body.

He became eligible for parole in October 2001 and has appeared before the Parole Board 15 times since then.

His final rejection came after a hearing six months ago decided he would benefit from further psychological intervention.

However, after another hearing on December 1 he was approved for release on February 8 next year.

The board said it was satisfied Dahlberg's low to moderate risk of re-offending could be managed so he would not pose an undue risk to the community, where "extensive and realistic support" was available.

The special conditions on his release include a lifelong ban on entering the Nelson province and on owning or possessing firearms.

Dahlberg is an uncle of a former national basketballer accused of taking part in a drunken taxi rampage in Singapore in which two men were assaulted.

Robert Dahlberg, 34, has skipped bail and his Nelson-based family says he has no plans to return.

A warrant for arrest has been issued for the former Junior Tall Black who was working as a broker, Singapore police confirmed.