Glyn Razzell: High court blocks release of killer who won’t say where wife’s body is

The killer won’t be walking free

Razzell, 66, was jailed for life in 2003 with a minimum 16-year term. Linda, a mother of four, was 41 when she vanished on her way to work at Swindon College, Wiltshire, in March 2002, during divorce proceedings. He was convicted after traces of her blood were found in a borrowed car.

Why the Glyn Razzell parole decision was overturned

The Parole Board ruled in April that his imprisonment was “no longer necessary” to protect the public. The Ministry of Justice referred it, arguing the board had failed to assess his risk properly, the High Court heard.

In 2021 he became the first prisoner refused parole under Helen’s Law, which requires the board to weigh a refusal to reveal where a victim’s remains are, an issue that recurs in other notorious UK murder cases.

Quashing the decision, the judge said:

"I am not persuaded that the risk has diminished to such a level that offender management is capable of keeping the public safe if the defendant is released."

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb

Linda’s cousin, Julie Westmore, told the court the family “will not feel safe” and feared “all hope of ever finding Linda’s remains will be lost”. Her partner, Greg Worrall, said Razzell was exerting “coercive control over people even in death”.

He has maintained his innocence at previous hearings. Twenty-four years on, Linda’s remains have not been found.