One of Tasmania's most high-profile murderers has left prison after 13 years behind bars.
Susan Neill-Fraser, 68, was found guilty of murdering her partner of 18 years, Bob Chappell, aboard their yacht on Australia Day in 2009.
She was sentenced to 26 years in prison with a non-parole period of 18 years.
After an appeal, that was reduced to 23 years with a non-parole of 13 years.
Neill-Fraser has always maintained her innocence and launched numerous appeals over the years to quash her conviction, most recently in the High Court. All failed.
She emerged this morning and was driven to the parole office in Hobart by her two daughters, Sarah Bowles and Emma Fraser-Meeker.
Ms Bowles said although they were excited to have her out, "it wasn't the outcome we'd hoped for".
"This has renewed our energy, having mum out to clear her name, overturn the miscarriage of justice, and seek justice for Bob's memory as well," she said.
"I think one of my main goals will be to see what can be done to improve her health now that we're outside of the prison system."
Neill-Fraser was arrested in August 2009, about seven months after Mr Chappell's disappearance.
No body or weapon was ever found and police have never been able to explain how the DNA of a then-15-year-old homeless girl came to be aboard the yacht.
Although Neill-Fraser's account of what happened changed over time — and was described as a "web of lies" by the prosecution — she has always said she never killed Mr Chappell.
The jury in her 2010 trial heard Neill-Fraser initially told police she had left Mr Chappell on board the yacht to go to Bunnings. But when she could not be found on CCTV footage, she revised her account.
She also told police she had spent the night at home, but later said she had gone to check on the yacht multiple times.
The evidence against her was circumstantial, but it was strong enough for a jury to unanimously find her guilty of murder.
"In my view, that evidence establishes that Ms Neill-Fraser dumped the body in the river, and that she made an attempt to sink the couple's yacht in order to get rid of evidence and divert suspicion from herself," said Chief Justice Alan Blow at the time in his sentencing remarks.
Over the years, Neill-Fraser has gained a loyal following of supporters, including federal Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie and former Tasmanian premier Lara Giddings.
For a long time, her supporters insisted she would not apply for parole and would only leave prison an innocent woman.
But after numerous failed appeals, when she left prison today, it was as a guilty woman.
Rosie Crumpton Crooke — the president of the Neill-Fraser Support Group and one of Neill-Fraser's biggest advocates — said it took a lot of persuading for her to relent and apply for parole.
"Sue always said they would not accept parole, that she wanted to come out of prison exonerated and as a free woman," she said.
"She took a lot of persuading to take parole. We have given her our solemn, sincere undertaking that we won't give up.
"If she was concerned if she left prison people would forget about her, she needn't be concerned about that.
