Millie Elder-Holmes ‘rocked’ by parole hearing of her partner’s killer

Tuesday, 29 October 2024

Millie Elder-Holmes says she was rocked by the parole hearing of her partner’s killer.

Michael Thrift Murray was found guilty of murdering Connor Morris in 2015 and sentenced to life in prison.

He appeared before the Parole Board last week, but was denied early release.

The partner of slain West Auckland man Connor Morris says his killer’s parole hearing took her right back to the day he was killed.

“Last week on Wednesday, the man who took the life of one of the most important people I have ever known tried to get out of jail,” Millie Elder-Holmes, the daughter of late broadcaster Sir Paul Holmes, said in a now-deleted Instagram post.

“This brought back intense memories and made me feel like it was just yesterday that all of this had happened.”

Michael Thrift Murray was found guilty of murdering Connor Morris in 2015 and sentenced to life in prison.

Murray was accused of murdering Morris following a violent melee in the West Auckland suburb of Massey in August 2014.

He admitted killing Morris, with a blow to the head with a garden sickle, but tried and failed to argue it was self defence.

He appealed the sentence to the Court of Appeal and then to the Supreme Court arguing his trial had been prejudiced by publicity and fears of retribution. The sentence was upheld.

Then last Wednesday, Murray appeared before the Parole Board. The NZ Herald reported he was denied early release.

Elder-Holmes said the hearing had reminded her how strong memories and emotions could be.

“There is no linear or normal way to experience, grief, trauma, or sadness, I have often been told at times that I’m ‘so strong’ but this happening last week reminds me that emotions and memories are much stronger, and sometimes when you think you can deal with something and that you are well prepared, done the therapy, and tried your best to cope … regardless of all of that that can still absolutely rock you,” she said in the Instagram post.

“I don’t have any answers or solutions for how to deal with situations like these but I can tell you that being around family being in a place that you feel safe and being able to process your emotions freely really helps.

“I love you always Connor Morris. And sending big love to anyone else who has experienced any sort of grief or loss.”