James Vlassakis, infamously known as one of the Snowtown murderers, has spent over 26 years in prison following his guilty plea to four of the notorious “bodies in the barrels” killings that shocked Snowtown, South Australia, in 1999.
Until recently, Vlassakis’s image had remained concealed during his incarceration. However, a successful appeal by 9News has resulted in the lifting of this secrecy order.
Victims’ Rights Commissioner Sarah Quick expressed that victims have reacted positively to this change.
“Although seeing his image again might be unsettling after all these years, it ultimately provides them with a sense of security,” Quick remarked.
Vlassakis received a non-parole sentence after admitting guilt and assisting in the convictions of his accomplices, John Bunting and Robert Wagner.
He was initially imprisoned at the age of 19 and was granted parole last August at the age of 46.
However, the decision was overturned following a successful challenge by the South Australian attorney-general in December.
That is now being challenged by the parole board.
Vlassakis was the youngest of the three men jailed over the shocking Snowtown murders, which were carried out in the 1990s.
Police discovered eight dismembered bodies in barrels in an abandoned bank vault in 1999, with another two bodies uncovered in the backyard of fellow convicted killer Bunting’s former home in Salisbury North, in Adelaide’s northern outskirts.
Remains discovered in Lower Light were also linked to the case. 
It was ruled that Vlassakis was coerced by Bunting to kill four victims, including his half-brother and step-brother.
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