Hobart grandmother and convicted murderer Susan Neill-Fraser was an engaged and polite inmate during her 13-year stint in jail and someone who didn't fit the common perception of a calculated killer.
Neill-Fraser, 68, was in 2010 found guilty of murdering partner Bob Chappell on Australia Day the year prior on the couple's yacht moored off the affluent suburb Sandy Bay.
She was released on parole in early October from Mary Hutchinson Women's Prison.
Neill-Fraser has maintained her innocence and has launched several unsuccessful court appeals against her conviction.
The Parole Board of Tasmania on Thursday published its reasons for releasing Neill-Fraser, noting the toll the high-profile case had taken on Mr Chappell's family.
Neill-Fraser was found to have thrown Mr Chappell's body into the River Derwent. It has never been found.
The board said Mr Chappell's death had been a "devastating blow" for his children, with his son saying he still misses him in many ways.
"The burden of their grief has however been made more onerous by the ongoing media interest on his death and focus on (Neill-Fraser)," it said.
The board said Neill-Fraser presented as a well-spoken and educated lady "somewhat inconsistently with the common perception of a person who can, in a premeditated and calculated fashion, kill another".
"She is, regardless of her denial of guilt, appearance and manner, a convicted murderer."
It said Neill-Fraser's denial of guilt meant "she, as she did at the time of her sentencing, presents without remorse and has not assisted authorities or Mr Chappell's family to locate his body".
The board said Neill-Fraser had engaged positively with fellow inmates and authorities, and was productive in the prison gardens.
It noted she had shown an attitude and behaviour compliant with the mores of society.
Neill-Fraser breached prison regulations twice, the first in 2017 when she was found with unauthorised items including food and makeup.
The second time was in 2021 when she released information of prison processes to a blogger for publication in the context of describing a usual day in prison.
"Otherwise, she has presented as compliant, engaged and polite inmate," the board said.
It said Mr Chappell's son recognised Neill-Fraser did not pose any significant risk to the community.
Neill-Fraser was initially sentenced to a maximum 26 years' jail which was later reduced on appeal to 23 years with a 13-year non-parole period.
The board described her crime as "repugnant" but noted her lack of relevant criminal history, the way she served her sentence and availability of stable and supportive accommodation on release as "attesting to the likelihood" she would comply with society's rules and expectations.
