Tracey Wigginton

Background

Tracey Wigginton (born 1965) was an Australian murderer who achieved notoriety for killing a man in 1989, supposedly in order to drink his blood. Her then-girlfriend Lisa Ptachinski and two other women fuelled rumours that Wigginton had vampiric tendencies, stating that the reason for the murder was to enable the drinking of the man's blood.

Wigginton was one of four co-accused. She pleaded guilty to the charge of murder, so there was no trial and few details were disclosed to the court as to why the incident occurred.

Wigginton and Lisa Ptachinski were described as having vampiric tendencies and rumours of occult motivations were discussed publicly. Wigginton later denied allegations of vampirism and expressed remorse for the murder. She also made claims about being abused as a child and teen.

The offence

On the night of the murder, Wigginton, Lisa Ptaschinski, and two other women lured 47-year-old Edward Baldock to a park on the banks of the Brisbane River. Baldock was taken near the South Brisbane Sailing Club at West End, and he was lured from the vehicle with a promise of sexual favours.

Wigginton stabbed Edward Baldock 27 times. The attack left Baldock with so many stab wounds that he was nearly severed from the head. The murder was described as involving a drinking of Baldock’s blood by Wigginton after the attack.

A charge of murder was pleaded to by Wigginton. During sentencing, it was noted that few details had been disclosed because she entered a guilty plea.

Wigginton told the jury she did not live on solid food but that of pigs and cows blood which she obtained from the local butcher. Lisa Ptaschinski said she would slit her wrists so that Wigginton could drink her blood.

In Wigginton’s account to police, she said:

"I walked around behind him , I took my knife out of my back pocket, he asked me what I was doing, I said nothing and stabbed him," Wigginton told detectives. "He went up to grab my hand. I pushed his hand down, withdrew the knife, and stabbed him in the side of the neck, I stabbed him in the other side of the neck, and I continuously stabbed him. "I then grabbed him by the hair on his head and pulled back, stabbed him in the front of the throat and at that stage he was still alive.''

She also said:

"I felt nothing" as she stabbed Mr Baldock and sat smoking a cigarette as she watched him die.

After watching Baldock die, Wigginton said she went down to the nearby Brisbane River to wash her knife, hands and arms.

People involved

Victim

Edward Baldock (47) was the man lured to the park and stabbed 27 times.

Co-accused

Lisa Ptaschinski was Wigginton’s then-lover and was one of four co-accused. Lisa Ptaschinski was described as having told the court she would slit her wrists so that Wigginton could drink her blood.

Kim Jervis was one of the women involved with Wigginton in the luring and attack.

Tracey Waugh was one of the women involved with Wigginton.

Investigation

After the murder, Baldock’s body was discovered early next morning by members of the public.

A cash card bearing the name of Tracey Wigginton was found in one of the victim’s shoes, which led to the early arrest of all four women.

Wigginton’s official police interview was later obtained, and the confession contained details of the stabbing. The confession was not released because Wigginton entered a guilty plea to the murder.

Arrest

All four women were arrested early after the cash card bearing Wigginton’s name was found in Baldock’s shoe.

Sentencing

In 1991, Wigginton was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Supreme Court of Queensland with a minimum of 13 years.

Wigginton’s sentencing lasted nine minutes.

Appeals

Wigginton’s release decisions were described as not having an appeal to the parole board decisions. Queensland Attorney-General Paul Lucas’ office said it was seeking legal advice on grounds to appeal Wigginton’s release.

It was reported that the parole board approved her fourth bid for release since becoming eligible for parole in 2002, and that her release was the subject of legal advice and possible grounds to challenge.

Outcome

Wigginton pleaded guilty to the charge of murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 13 years in 1991.

In 2006, Wigginton assaulted a fellow inmate and a prison guard.

Wigginton made four unsuccessful parole applications until 2011, when the parole board granted her application.

Wigginton was released from prison on January 11, 2012 after a successful parole bid.

Aftermath

Concerns were raised about Wigginton’s release from her past prosecutor and relatives of Edward Baldock.

Wigginton’s parole conditions were reported to include that she made no contact with any of her co-offenders or the victim’s family. The conditions also included that she was prohibited from making financial gain by selling her story to any media organisations.

It was reported that Wigginton was released from the low-security Numinbah prison farm at 6.30am on Tuesday 11th January 2012 and that she was then taken to private accommodation.

Wigginton’s half-sister Alli Hopkins opposed Wigginton’s release, describing her as a dangerous woman with a cruel streak.

Tanya Jackson, described as Edward Baldock’s niece, disputed claims by Wigginton that she had been forgiven. Jackson said, "For my uncle and for my family, it's a life sentence. We live with it every day," and said, "And life sentence to me is life sentence - it's not 16 years or even 21 years. It's forever. "She took somebody's life. I don't believe that she has a place in society."

Wigginton claimed she had been forgiven by two of Edward Baldock’s relatives, including Baldock’s niece and his cousin. A Corrective Services spokesman was unable to confirm that Baldock’s cousin was employed by the department.

Wigginton told psychologist Ian Coyle in 2008 that her victim’s niece had "forgiven her" and that the forgiveness was almost "too much to take". The 2008 statement was attributed to Gavan Palk’s 2009 meeting that included a report that the cousin had told her that she had "forgiven her and wanted to support her". Wigginton refused to name the cousin when pressed by psychologist Gavan Palk in 2009 and stated it was confidential.

Wigginton’s public attention and repeated media coverage were described as having compounded trauma for Baldock’s family, including Jackson saying that the case had brought it into a new generation.

A retired crown prosecutor Adrian Gundelach said she remained dangerous, citing that in this case she had control over three other people and talked them into being part of it. Gundelach said:

"The only thing she was sorry about was that she got caught," he said.

It was also stated that Gundelach said:

"She's no fool. To be honest, I'm not convinced she's as sick as she makes out and I don't agree with her release," he said.

And:

"Put it this way -- I wouldn't want her living next to me."

A parole board assessment stated (Wigginton's) "risk for future acts of serious violence are in the low range. However, in times of distress she may be vulnerable to impulsive acts of aggression."

It was also reported that Wigginton claimed forgiveness and remorse while acknowledging that she had shown the propensity to lie. In her first interview with police, Wigginton said:

"I couldn't kill a person. I can't even kill chooks."

Wigginton’s physical condition and history in prison were described. It was stated that she contracted hepatitis C from injecting drugs, weighed up to 125kg, and had chronic back and knee pain restricting her mobility.

She was described as having obtained a degree in philosophy and anthropology while in prison, and as having trade tickets in driving bobcats, forklifts and welding.

It was also reported that Lisa Ptaschinski was expected to be released under a resettlement leave program with a maximum of 12 hours leave every two months for six months, but it was later reported that earlier reports of possible release were false.

Other details

Co-accused outcomes mentioned in the case record

Lisa Ptaschinski was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Kim Jervis was sentenced to 18 years jail for manslaughter, later reduced to 12 years.

Tracey Waugh was acquitted after a defence barrister argued she had played no active role in the murder and had tried to stop Jervis from taking part.

People

Pat Glancy was described as fronting the investigation into Wigginton’s 1989 murder of Brisbane father Edward Baldock. Pat Glancy said:

Tuck Thompson was named as author of a report that discussed prosecutorial concern about Wigginton remaining dangerous.

Josh Robertson was named as author of reports that covered claims of forgiveness and disputes by Baldock’s relative.