A man who was found guilty of murdering his wife by pushing her wheelchair into a pond in the Adelaide Park Lands has died in custody.
Peter Rex Dansie, 74, was serving life in prison with a non-parole period of 25 years for murdering his 67-year-old wife Helen, who was living with a disability, in April 2017.
Helen’s body was discovered in a 1.5m-deep pond in Veale Gardens.
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During his sentencing in December 2020, the judge called Dansie’s actions ”evil” and the “ultimate act of domestic violence”.
The South Australian Department for Correctional Services confirmed Dansie died on Monday from natural causes.
It’s understood Dansie was transferred from prison to hospital.
Dansie’s son, Grant, said he was “relieved” his father died behind bars “where he belonged”.
He said his father never showed remorse and was “vindictive” when he fought to maintain control of his wife’s estate in court.
“Mum’s death was fully preventable and the authorities responsible for her protection were warned repeatedly over many years about the threat that Peter Dansie posed,” Grant said.
“However, they continued to ignore our warnings about domestic violence, and mum ultimately ended up adding to the number of women tragically killed by their spouses.
“Hopefully with his passing our family can finally get some peace as we continue to mourn my fantastic mum.”
During his trial, prosecutors alleged Dansie killed his wife because he regarded her as a financial burden, and he wanted to pursue a sexual relationship with a woman he met online.
Dansie claimed she had suffered an accident, and he had jumped in to save her.
Helen was a microbiologist who suffered a stroke in the 1990s.
Dansie lost two attempts to appeal his conviction.
The department said all deaths in custody were subject to a coronial investigation.
– With AAP.