Why notorious serial killer Reginald Arthurell’s identity was kept secret in Sydney nursing home

NSW Corrections Minister Anthony Roberts has said he is “frustrated” by laws that allowed a notorious serial killer to be placed in a Sydney nursing home without anyone being told who she was.

Triple murderer Reginald Arthurell, who bludgeoned fiancee Venet Mulhall to death, was released on parole in November after serving 24 years behind bars.

The 74-year-old came out as transgender while in prison and now goes by Regina Kaye.

Kaye was found to be living in a Sydney nursing home, with residents and staff not aware of her violent past.

The killer had also been set up with a transgender woman who ran a friendship group, who also was not told about who she had been asked to help out.

Corrections Minister Anthony Roberts told 2GB’s Ben Fordham community corrections is legally prevented from disclosing an offender’s criminal history to the public.

“That needs to be balanced up and I agree with you (Ben Fordham) … with respect to the protection of people within the community,” he said.

He said police are investigating concerns raised by fellow neighbours and residents and also the fact transgender advocates were unknowingly tasked with helping a convicted killer integrate back into society.

Last week Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour raised concerns about her living arrangements and said police only recently found out that Kaye was living at the Yagoona retirement home unbeknown to other residents.

She has since been moved out of the village.

Kaye was sentenced to a maximum of 27 years after she killed Venet Mulhall, 54, in the NSW country town of Coonabarabran while on parole for two other killings. She later took a photo of herself in Mulhall’s dress and wearing a wig.

Mr Roberts was also probed about why she was allowed to live in a retirement home for the general public, instead of a more secure facility near Long Bay Correctional Centre, which offers a community support program and “halfway” house.

He argued Kaye was under strict parole conditions in the facility and Long Bay isn’t in a position to provide the level of support she needs.

“The individual suffers from severe vision and hearing impairments, chronic cardiac and respiratory issues, and has struggled to adapt to modern technology due to their extended period in custody,” he said.

Kaye was then put through an aged care assessment and approved for a home support package.

“I certainly emphasise strongly with the individuals (affected),” Mr Roberts said.

The first pictures of the convicted murderer were discovered on social media, after the serial killer was released on parole.

Sydney radio station 2GB first reported the new pictures had surfaced. A social media account under the name Regina Kaye matches the photos.

The NSW State Parole Authority (SPA) granted Kaye parole in October.

Most of Kaye’s neighbours had no idea who she was until they saw photos of her circulating in the media.

Law enforcement will be taking the case to court to get an extended supervision order on Kaye which could be up to five years. It will feature up to 40 conditions including electronic monitoring, Mr Roberts said.

Other conditions include abstaining from alcohol, participating in an intervention program as directed, not possessing or using a firearm or any prohibited weapon, not contacting, communicating with, watching, stalking, harassing or intimidating the victim/s and/or victims’ families.

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