Calls for review of parole system after convicted murderer charged with rape while on parole

The parole laws in New South Wales are never far from the headlines, with the last review in 2023 introducing "No Body, No Parole".

Now there there fresh calls for parole laws to be reviewed from Cynthia Van Blanken, the mother of murdered girl Lyndsay Van Blanken.

Lyndsay was a teenager with her life ahead of her - until she met William Matheson, the cello player at her mother's wedding.

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When their relationship ended her mother Cynthia says Lyndsay found love again, but Matheson couldn't cope with her moving on.

"He was following her everywhere. I mean, he was continually following her. We had neighbours that were witnesses that said he was standing outside our house at three in the morning, staring up at the windows," Cynthia told A Current Affair.

Then on November 24, 2003 Lyndsay vanished after she was seen arguing with Matheson.

The 18-year-old's body was eventually found seven weeks later, stuffed in a cricket bag, dumped in a storage unit in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Matheson was convicted of Lyndsay's murder and sentenced to a maximum 25 years' jail. Matheson was eligible for parole three years ago.

And despite Cynthia's public plea for Matheson not be granted parole, he was released to serve the last 6 years of his sentence in the community.

Just days ago the notorious murderer was arrested and charged with the alleged rape of a woman while on parole. He is yet to enter a plea.

Given the allegations against Matheson, Cynthia says she feels like the parole system didn't hear her family and needs to be reviewed.

Watch the full story in the video above.

National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

FULL STATEMENT FROM CORRECTIVE SERVICES NSW

Corrective Services NSW is aware a 42-year-old parolee has been bail refused on alleged sexual offences.

As the matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Community safety is Corrective Services NSW's highest priority, and we work extremely hard to promote lawful and pro-social behaviour by people on supervision.