Jordan Nelson was just a teen - 13 years and 89 days old to be precise - when he callously murdered his 50-year-old caregiver and partner to his grandfather, Rosemaree Kurth, earning himself the chilling title of New Zealand's youngest killer.
The young man ended Rosemary's life by shooting her in the head with a .22-calibre rifle as she worked on a jigsaw puzzle at their rural home at Okoki, near Urenui, on the afternoon of April 15, 2012.
As his grandfather, Kerry Lock, walked the dogs, Nelson dragged Kurth's body into a bedroom, ransacked Lock's room, and soon drove to Waitara in his victim's car.
His grandfather would later reveal he suffered flashbacks after walking into the grisly scene where he found Kurth's bleeding body.
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"I thought my world had ended," Lock said as he read his victim impact statement to the High Court in New Plymouth at the time.
"I suffer from vivid flashbacks that randomly affect my ability to maintain day-to-day tasks."
"I miss Rose like crazy and all I can do is kiss the photo beside the bed every day."
Jordan's reason for killing her, the court heard, was because he believed she had stopped him from visiting his mother in Hawke's Bay - an assumption which later proved to be incorrect.
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Nelson was sentenced to 18 years' jail after Justice Heath decided that the Waitara High School was too young to be given the mandatory life sentence. However, the sentence allowed Nelson to apply for parole after six years, when he turned 19.
Now, after being denied parole in March this year, the 21-year-old is set to be released from prison on time for Christmas, on December 9th.
His release follows a Parole Board hearing last month, from which it was decided Nelson was able to safely integrate back into society - though with strict conditions including 'electronic monitoring and a ban from owning or using any kind of firearm, explosive or ammunition,' according to Stuff.
In March, the Board described Nelson as being 'somewhat overconfident' in his belief he would be able to deal with life on the outside, and spoke of concerns surrounding his relationship with a mother-of-two.
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"Given Mr Nelson is only 21, has spent all of his teenage years, save the very first period, in prison and is proposing parenting two young children in a partnership with a woman 15 years older than him, has concerning elements," it said, in its written decision.
It also pointed to his unlawful conduct in helping a fellow prisoner transfer money.
"Another prisoner had a cell phone," it said. "He did not know how to use it. He wanted to use it to transfer money and contact people in prison.
"Mr Nelson showed him how to transfer the money and make contact with others. As a result, Mr Nelson was rewarded with some clothes and access to the phone to call what he described as his partner.
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"Obviously, that was seriously unlawful conduct. We pointed out to Mr Nelson his actions could constitute a crime given the circumstances relating to the transfer of money was obviously suspicious."
According to panel convenor Mary More, Nelson also reportedly told the board he 'has remorse' for his crimes and wished to pen 'apology letters' and meet with the family of the victim - though they are yet to say whether they're interested in participating.
"Mr Nelson said he imagines the victims are raw and numb, and still suffering, and he accepts what they have to say," More said in the decision.
"He said that he can do the best that he can to get himself on his feet, and when the time comes he would like the opportunity to apologise to the victims."
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Topics: New Zealand, crime