Key Takeaways
- Blackburn murdered his former partner Hindson after their relationship ended, strangling her and hiding her body in a wooden chest.
- He attempted to bury the chest in his backyard, then transported it around Christchurch before leaving it in a public grassy area at Ferrymead.
- A week later he confessed to a former partner, leading to his arrest and the recovery of the body.
- Blackburn received a life sentence; parole hearings have revealed his repeated statements that he wishes to remain incarcerated.
- Before any release can be considered, he must undergo cognitive, needs, and psychogeriatric assessments, plus a psychologist’s referral to a rest home.
- His next parole appearance is scheduled for May of the following year, with the board weighing his expressed desire to stay jailed against evidence of rehabilitation.
Background of the Relationship and Murder
Blackburn and Hindson had been in a romantic relationship that ended shortly before the killing. Hindson, a 45‑year‑old Christchurch resident, had decided to break up with Blackburn after growing tensions. Two days after the split, Blackburn went to her home, entered her bedroom, and strangled her to death. He then placed her lifeless body in a wooden chest, nailed the lid shut, and attempted to bury it in his backyard, but the effort failed. This opening section sets out the immediate circumstances of the murder and Blackburn’s initial attempts to conceal the crime.
Method of Concealment and Attempted Burial
After failing to inter the chest in his own yard, Blackburn loaded the wooden box into his car and drove around Christchurch for two days, searching for a suitable burial site. He eventually chose a secluded stretch of long grass along the Ferrymead walking track, where he dragged the chest and left it hidden. The detailed actions—nailing the chest shut, transporting it repeatedly, and finally abandoning it in a public recreational area—illustrate both his determination to hide the evidence and his lack of a clear plan for permanent disposal.
Discovery and Confession
A week after the murder, Blackburn confessed the killing to a former partner, who then urged him to turn himself in. He admitted to police that he had strangled Hindson, helped officers locate the wooden chest in the Ferrymead grass, and was arrested the following day. The confession came after he had already told another ex‑partner about the crime, showing a pattern of guilt‑driven disclosure that ultimately led to the body’s recovery and his formal charge.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Following his arrest, Blackburn was charged with murder and, after a trial, received a life sentence with a minimum non‑parole period prescribed by New Zealand law. The court emphasized the brutality of the act, the concealment efforts, and the impact on Hindson’s family. Although the exact length of the non‑parole term is not detailed in the source, the sentence reflected the gravity of offending and set the stage for subsequent parole considerations, during which Blackburn would have to demonstrate rehabilitation and reduced risk before any release could be contemplated.
First Parole Hearing and Blackburn’s Statement
At an earlier parole hearing, Blackburn told the board that he did not wish to be released, declaring, “A life for a life,” and asking the panel to stand him down from early‑release consideration for another five years. He explicitly said, “I want to stay in jail. I killed someone,” reflecting a genuine sense of remorse and acceptance of responsibility. This declaration was notable because it ran contrary to the typical inmate desire for early release and highlighted his internal struggle with guilt.
Psychological Assessments and Requirements for Release
Before any release proposal could be considered, the parole board required Blackburn to undergo a series of evaluations, including cognitive and needs assessments and a psychogeriatric review. He was seeing a psychologist who would then make a referral to an appropriate rest home, and only after those steps were completed could a release proposal be forwarded. This process underscores the board’s cautious approach, ensuring that any potential release is informed by a thorough understanding of Blackburn’s mental health, risk factors, and suitability for community supervision.
Recent Parole Hearing and Prison Life
At the most recent hearing, Blackburn described his time in prison as difficult but said he coped by reading, listening to music, and exercising. Prison officials characterized him as quiet and polite, noting that he had not presented disciplinary problems. Despite the hardships of incarceration, his constructive use of time suggested an effort at self‑improvement, which the board considered alongside his earlier statements about wanting to remain imprisoned.
Future Parole Consideration
Blackburn’s next appearance before the parole board is scheduled for May of the following year. Until then, he will continue serving his sentence, and the board will monitor any changes in his behavior, psychological status, and risk assessment. The upcoming hearing will again weigh his expressed desire to stay incarcerated against any evidence of rehabilitation, ultimately deciding whether he remains eligible for release or must continue to serve his sentence.
Role of the Journalist and the Open Justice Series
The account was reported by Al Williams, an Open Justice reporter for the New Zealand Herald based in Christchurch. Williams has worked in daily and community titles across New Zealand and overseas for the past sixteen years, most recently serving as editor of the Hauraki‑Coromandel Post in Whangamatā and previously as deputy editor of the Cook Islands News. His piece is part of the Herald’s Open Justice initiative, which includes the “Case by Case” video and podcast series that examines high‑profile disputes and decisions throughout New Zealand, providing readers with deeper insight into the criminal‑justice process.
Broader Implications and Reflections
The case illustrates how the parole system balances an inmate’s personal wishes, risk assessment, and procedural safeguards. Blackburn’s repeated assertions that he wants to remain incarcerated challenge typical assumptions about offender motivation, while the extensive pre‑release requirements—psychological evaluations, needs assessments, and specialist referrals—show the state’s commitment to protecting public safety. Ultimately, the ongoing legal process serves as a reminder that justice encompasses not only punishment but also opportunities for reflection, accountability, and, when appropriate, reintegration, all guided by careful, evidence‑based decision‑making.