THE man convicted of murdering his wife in Bournemouth 30 years ago has finally admitted the killing, the Daily Echo can exclusively reveal.

As reported, Russell Causley, 71, was denied his latest plea for parole late last year following his conviction for the murder of Veronica Packman, known as Carole, in 1985.

She disappeared from the family home in Westbourne shortly after visiting a solicitor to enquire about divorcing Causley, who had moved his lover Patricia Ward into the family home a year before his wife's disappearance.

Despite the absence of a body he was convicted of murder at a retrial ordered in 2004 and has been behind bars since.

Now, the Echo can reveal that Causley made admissions following his last parole hearing, but has given differing accounts at different times.

He had previously never spoken about the crime or engaged with the authorities.

Causley's daughter, Samantha Gillingham, 46, and her son, Neil, 25, have never known what happened to Carole's body.

Causley's admissions were made in August, but the Echo has not reported them until now as Neil and Sam had been given hope by Causley that he would tell all, in exchange for being moved to a lower-category prison.

But that has come to nothing, with Causley cancelling his latest meeting with police this month.

Neil and Sam now say they want the public to know the latest twist in the tale - and are appealing for help in finally finding answers in a bid to end 30 years of pain.

Causley, who is imprisoned at HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire, is again due to face a parole board this summer.

Neil said: “I don't want to focus on the police but more on the system, its failings and how once again the human rights of the perpetrator are put before those of the victim - whether that be with us or any other family who has been a victim of serious crime.

“I'm left with a bitter taste in my mouth that my grandfather's prison sentence has been fruitless, ultimately what was the point in sending him to prison in the first place?

“He hasn't engaged, he continues to take the same arrogant, obnoxious stance and although he admits his guilt I feel this is a ploy to gain early release without giving closure.

“He continues to rip our family apart with his malicious poison.”

Neil said he wanted the authorities to acknowledge the family's human rights to stop the “continued stress and anxiety” they face every year when Causley is up for parole.

He added: “It is wholly inappropriate on so many levels to even consider his release, especially after making such frank and honest confessions.

“My grandfather is a dangerous man, this has now been confirmed.

“I want answers fast, I need support and I want to ask for support from those who can make a change - Ipswich road (in Westbourne) is the scene where my grandmother took her final breath.

“I want to appeal for anyone with forensic experience to assist me in finding the missing pieces in that jigsaw - those with technical knowledge, lawyers, politicians, anyone who may have known something - to come forward.

“I am determined to make a change, this is unacceptable that a convicted murderer can continue to torment and systematically destroy my family with such disregard from behind prison doors.

“He is scum and we should be supported to ensure that we put a stop on this from continuing. He should die behind bars.”

Causley has also apparently written a six-page letter, believed to give a full explanation, but that cannot yet be disclosed.

Neil added: “I struggle to comprehend this on both a legal and moral basis.

“How a convicted murderer can write a six-page letter, which potentially gives the location of my grandmother's remains, and be treated with this legal rule is beyond me.”

Sam added: “It is my father who approached us to speak, we responded to listen to what he has to say, only for him to cancel four days before.

“I am asking for help; I need to ask once again if there is anything that someone knows, who has not previously come forward for whatever reason - please rethink on your silence.

“Please think that it is 30 years this year.

“For the first time I am asking if there is anyone with legal or forensic ability who would be able to offer their professional services or who would be able to finance such services.

“I feel acutely embarrassed to ask for something where I am unable to pay. I need to find my mother. My mother did not deserve this.”

IN an interview with the Daily Echo, Detective Inspector Mark Samuel, from Dorset Police, said: “I'm mindful that this is the 30th anniversary of Carole's death.

“I can't begin to imagine the frustration felt by the family. Since the parole hearing we've re-interviewed Causley in prison and revisited the address at Ipswich Road and we're grateful for the co-operation of the current owners and neighbours.

“Within the last 30 years there's been substantial renovation of the garden area at the property and we've taken expert forensic advice and have heeded that advice.

“We've spoken with significant members of the original investigation team, most of whom have now retired, to discuss possible leads and go over the investigation with them.

“I would like to emphasise how determined we are to find closure and get to the truth in this matter.

“Only one person holds the key to this, Russell Causley holds all of the information and we too appeal to him to invite us to come and speak to him.

“There are powers in place that allow us to meet with him, but it needs his willingness to physically talk.”

Veronica Packman, who lived in Westbourne and was known as Carole to her friends, went missing from the family home at Ipswich Road in 1985, shortly after visiting a solicitor to enquire about divorcing her husband, Russell Causley.

Causley, who took the surname of his lover Patricia Causley, also known as Ward and now believed to be living in Maidenhead, Kent, moved her into the family home a year before his wife's disappearance, was convicted of murdering Carole in 1996.

The case had been reopened by police after Causley attempted to fake his own death in 1993 as part of an insurance fraud, for which he was jailed for two years and Patricia handed a 12-month suspended sentence for conspiring to defraud.

While serving his sentence, despite the absence of a body, he was prosecuted for Carole's murder and given 16 years behind bars.

However, the judgment was quashed by the Court of Appeal before a retrial was ordered in 2004, which again saw Causley found guilty and jailed for the murder.

Causley refused to reveal the whereabouts of his wife's body, something Neil said has never allowed his mother to achieve a sense of closure.

Sam, then only 16, remembers coming back from a day in London with her father in June 1985 and finding her mother's wedding ring in the kitchen with a note saying she had left.

She found her mother's clothes, jewellery and Rolex watch were still in the bedroom and a favourite red evening dress had been deliberately ripped.