Man who raped and killed girlfriend to be freed

File photo / NZ Herald

A West Coast man who raped and murdered his ex-girlfriend 16 years ago will be released from jail next month.

Paul Russell Wilson, now 46, of Hokitika, entered 21-year-old Kimberly Schroder's flat in Mary 1994, tying up her male flatmate before raping and killing her, The Press reported.

He was 31 when he was sentenced in 1995 to life imprisonment, with a 15-year non-parole period.

The non-parole period was later reduced to 13 years.

Wilson made his fifth appearance before the Parole Board on December 2 and was granted parole after assuring board members he was sorry, a report said.

Ms Schroder's family opposed his release.

Wilson was permanently banned from the West Coast.

- NZPA