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Source: Thinkstock
A man jailed for murdering his estranged wife is to be released on parole after 20 years behind bars.
James Herbert Dahlberg was convicted of murdering his estranged wife, Ann Urquhart, in 1992 and sentenced to life imprisonment.
He has never admitted to the crime and the Parole Board says he continues to plead his innocence.
Dahlberg, who will soon turn 70, will be released this month and will live in supported accommodation in the place where he grew up.
"Mr Dahlberg assessed low/moderate risk of reoffending can be managed so that he will not pose an undue risk to the safety of the community on release," the Parole Board said in its decision.
His release is on the conditions that he continues to undergo psychological assessment, makes regular contact with his probation officer and must never enter Nelson or own a firearm.
Dahlberg has had parole denied before after it was deemed he posed a higher risk of reoffending.
However, the board said his behaviour has improved in the past 18 months and he has engaged in his rehabilitation programme.
Dahlberg told the board he was aware his former wife's family opposed his release, and has been unable to tell them where her body is.
Urquhart's body was never found but bloodstained clothes were found in the Golden Downs forest, south of Nelson, where Dahlberg was also spotted by police.
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