Gerard Baden-Clay up for parole in 2027 as former cop speaks about Allison Baden-Clay murder investigation for 7NEWS’ Kiss and Kill vodcast

The former top cop who put Gerard Baden-Clay behind bars is speaking out about the convicted killer ahead of his looming parole date as it’s revealed he still wears his wedding ring in prison.

Allison Baden-Clay was murdered by her husband on April 19, 2012.

Gerard reported her missing from the family’s Brookfield home, west of Brisbane, on the morning of April 20, 2012 with her body found 10 days later by a canoeist on a creek bank under a bridge.

The Baden-Clay case is back in the spotlight with Gerard eligible for release in 2027 and the case now being profiled in 7NEWS’ Kiss and Kill — a vodcast series exposing Australia’s deadliest narcissists and the patterns they share.

In an upcoming episode re-examining the case, 7NEWS learns Baden-Clay is still wearing his wedding ring in prison, despite murdering his wife almost 15 years ago.

Retired Detective Superintendent Mark Ainsworth, who has put hundreds of criminals behind bars during his career, told 7NEWS the Baden-Clay case stood out above all others.

“I think this one to me is one that sits in my mind, probably more above the others,” he said.

Ainsworth said he saw through Baden-Clay’s carefully constructed facade at Alison Baden-Clay’s 2012 funeral.

“He didn’t look like a typical grieving widow,” he said.

“He was showing his crocodile tears there like he did through most of this.

“His stories didn’t add up, the scratches on his face, his behaviour.”

The quiet car park of the Brookfield Showgrounds was once transformed into a command post to find Allison after she vanished from their Brisbane home.

“Fourteen years ago we had the police forward command bus that was set up here,” Ainsworth said.

The vodcast exposes the patterns narcissistic killers use to control their victims, from love bombing to gaslighting and isolation.

Criminologist and Associate-Professor Claire Ferguson said Baden-Clay’s manipulation was apparent from the moment he dialled triple zero.

“I don’t want to be alarmist but my wife isn’t home. I don’t know where she is,” Baden-Clay told the operator.

“Police show up, he’s wearing a suit, he’s serving them tea in china teacups which is not normal when you go to a missing person’s scene,” Ferguson said.

Baden-Clay is eligible for parole next year.

“There’s certain criteria that people have to meet to be successful in getting parole and I think one of that is admission to the offence. He still, to my knowledge, has not admitted to doing what he did,” Ainsworth said.

If Baden-Clay is released back into the community, 7NEWS has already had it confirmed that one of his parole conditions will need to be that he’s fitted with a GPS tracking device.

Ferguson remains cautious about his rehabilitation prospects.

“I would be very, very cautious in thinking that he could be rehabilitated into a non-manipulative and genuine member of society,” she said.

For all the latest, head to 7news.com.au/kissandkill

Kiss and Kill is available across Seven’s full suite of broadcast, digital and audio platforms, with exclusive investigations on 7NEWS at 6 and the full vodcast available at 7plus, on LISTNR or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

In an emergency, call 000.

Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.

Please support:

The Red Heart Campaign and Australian Femicide Watch: www.australianfemicidewatch.org/support

The Allison Baden-Clay Foundation: www.allisonbadenclayfoundation.org.au

Beyond DV: www.beyonddv.org.au

The Red Rose Foundation: www.redrosefoundation.com.au

White Ribbon Australia: www.whiteribbon.org.au

Friends with Dignity: www.friendswithdignity.org.au