Tania Herman, the woman found guilty of attempting to murder Maria Korp by strangling her and stuffing her into a car boot in 2005, has walked free from prison.
Herman, who became eligible for parole on Friday, received a minimum nine-year jail term for attempting to kill Ms Korp.
The 50-year-old mother of two died after Herman strangled her with a strap and left her in the boot of her car on February 9, 2005.
Ms Korp was discovered in the car boot four days later, near the Shrine of Remembrance.
She lay in a vegetative state for six months before dying from her brain injuries.
The case became known as the “mum-in-the-boot” case.
Maria’s husband, Joe Korp, was charged with attempted murder over his wife’s death, but committed suicide on the day of her funeral.
Herman and Mr Korp were lovers.
With Herman widely expected to make parole, media camped outside Tarrengower minimum security jail in Maldon, south-west of Bendigo, from early on Friday morning.
Fairfax Media photographer Daryl Pinder said that at about 8.15am, Herman was collected by a woman, believed to be her girlfriend, and the pair departed the jail in a four-wheel-drive.
Herman’s application for parole went before the Adult Parole Board on January 23.
“After considering the relevant material, it was decided to release her on parole on 14 February 2014,” a spokesman for the board said.
If Herman breaches her parole conditions, such as breaking any law or leaving Victoria without permission, she can be returned to prison.
Tarrengower is the only minimum security female prison in Victoria, with a capacity for 72 prisoners.
The story of Ms Korp’s death was told in a TV movie in 2010.
