Daniel Morcombe's killer Brett Peter Cowan changes appearance
Four months after Brett Peter Cowan was jailed for murdering Daniel Morcombe, the convicted child molester has changed his appearance and continues to be a target of violence from fellow inmates.
Seven News has obtained the first photo of Cowan since his arrest as he serves a life sentence.
To the outside world, he's a sexual deviant - the child predator who murdered Daniel Morcombe.
On the inside, Cowan has been stripped of his identity, now just a number as Wolston Correctional Centre prisoner 'AO-3339'.
Cowan's appearance has changed too. For the first time 7News can show you what he looks like as he serves the first months of a life sentence.
Bruce and Denise Morcombe haven't seen their son's killer since he was led away from court for the final time.
They refuse to let Cowan's image unsettle them.
"No one likes a child killer, or a child molester and that's what Cowan is," Denise said.
"He's grown his goatee back dyed his hair darker.
"He actually looks like he's put a lot of weight on ... he does look a bit porky."
Cowan's special food requests, including Coco Pops, were rejected when he was jailed.
The high-profile crime he has been convicted of has condemned him to a life of isolation and hostility.
Behind bars, he's a "bash on sight" target.
“You can't change a leopard's spots,” Bruce told 7News.
“We hope he's not doing his time easily … I'm sure he's not, we don't feel sorry for him. Suck it up”
Inmates regard him as 'cocky' and react angrily if they catch a glimpse of him.
Wolston staff said Cowan has had few visitors. He leaves his cell only to use the exercise yard, another concrete room with a mesh roof so he can see the sky.
He also visits the prison doctor once a week with a double escort because he is at such risk.
In his cell, he has his own TV, radio, toilet and shower.
Staff describe him as 'quiet'.
"You would think he was a model prisoner but there is obviously someone else behind that mask," one source revealed.
"He is respectful to officers but that is more because he knows we are the only thing that stands between him and the other prisoners."
It will remain that way at least until his appeal is heard later this year.
"We said throughout the manhunt for Daniel's killer that the person responsible is the most hated person in Australia," Bruce Morcombe said.
"I think even after the conviction, that's still very much underlined. He's a very hated person in Australia."
