Possible freedom for killer no shock

David Tamihere was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1990. Photo / Rhys Palmer

The families of David Tamihere's victims are not surprised he could soon be free.

Tamihere was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1990 for the murders of Swedish tourists Urban Hoglin and Heidi Paakkonen in the Coromandel in 1990.

He had skipped bail for a 1986 rape and was on the run when the murders were committed and had a manslaughter conviction for the 1972 death of an Auckland prostitute.

He has maintained his innocence throughout his 21-year imprisonment and made a number of appeals against the conviction.

In a decision released on Wednesday, the Parole Board said it had had "vigorous and robust discussions" with Tamihere over his involvement in the tourists' deaths, but he had always been "adamant" in his denial. The board was satisfied it could "take that discussion no further".

Hoglin's brother, Stefan Hoglin, told Radio New Zealand they wanted Tamihere to be jailed for the rest of his life but accepted he would one day be released.

Both families still wanted to know why the killings happened and where Paakkonen's body was buried. They would make a joint approach to the Parole Board, Hoglin said.

Tamihere's parole application was adjourned until November for a final residential restrictions report.

- NZPA