Alleged wife killer confessed in chilling Facebook post
A man who allegedly murdered his wife in the Tasmanian wilderness wrote a chilling Facebook post just hours after the event.
Prominent South Australian doctor Robin Michael was found dead in his cell in Hobart’s Risdon Prison on Sunday, where he was on remand for the murder of his wife Kerry Michael on Mount Roland in February.
The 63-year-old confessed to an ‘act of pure evil’ in a letter on his Facebook page following her murder.
“I have committed an act which should attract no pity, no sympathy, not even any understanding. I can’t understand it,” he wrote.
“That it was an effect, rather than a cause, bears no consequence. It was not appropriate, necessary, nor anything really other than pure evil.”
Mr Michael described his wife as one “the most beautiful people” in the world but said he felt betrayed by her after she allegedly had an affair.
“To say I cracked and lost it when our quiet mountain descent got real would not do justice to the situation,” he wrote in the letter.
“The English language cannot describe my anger and rage. I cannot contemplate it.
“You may think you know what it feels like to take a knife in the stomach, but trust me, the physical equivalent well understates what it felt like in my insides when it hit home.
“Pain is one thing, but not enough if you had known and loved, and been loved by Kerry, and she betrayed you.”
Mr Michael was arrested at a caravan park in Tasmania’s northwest and charged with the murder of his wife, who was found dead with a head injury on a walking track.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges in April.
On Monday, Mr Michael was named by police as the inmate found dead in his cell at Risdon Prison overnight on Sunday.
He is the second inmate found dead within a week while in custody at Risdon prison.
"Initial investigations suggest there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death," police Inspector Doug Rossiter said in a statement.
Michael's death follows that of fellow inmate Troy Colin Monson, 42, who was found dead in the back of a prison van on June 22 after being transported from Launceston to Hobart.
While there are no suspicious circumstances linked to either death, the state government is demanding urgent answers.
Corrections Minister Vanessa Goodwin says she will carefully consider the results of both coronial inquests and an internal review by the prison, but won't wait that long.
"I am deeply concerned that another death (in) custody has occurred so soon after last week's tragic incident," Dr Goodwin said.
"Consequently, I have requested urgent advice from the Tasmania Prison Service on what immediate actions are being taken in response to this latest incident."
Lawyer and prison reform advocate Greg Barns said Michael took his own life, and argues there is no excuse for such deaths in custody.
"It is of great concern that we have two prison deaths in two weeks," he told reporters.
"There aren't many prisons in Australia that would have two in a year in this day and age."
Mr Barnes blamed a lack of mental health services in the Tasmanian prison system, mixed with "languishing" prisoners facing long periods on remand, for the deaths in custody.
If you're experiencing sexual assault or domestic and family violence, you can seek support at www.1800respect.org.au
*Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
Morning news break – July 1
