Serial Killer in the Suburbs: Anthony Eriksen Jailed for 26 Years Over ‘Cowardly and Inexcusable’ Murder of Partner Lisa Fenwick
- Anthony Eriksen, 64, sentenced to more than 26 years behind bars for the brutal stabbing murder of his partner Lisa Fenwick in their south Sydney home
- Victim had expressed concerns for her safety before the attack, texting friends that she was ‘fearful’ of Eriksen and did not feel safe with him
- Eriksen showed no remorse after the attack, telling a Triple Zero operator he had ‘put a knife in’ his partner during an argument
In a shocking display of brutality, Anthony Eriksen has been sentenced to 26 years and eight months behind bars for the ‘heinous and brutal murder’ of his partner Lisa Fenwick. The 64-year-old showed no remorse after the attack, which left Ms Fenwick with 18 stab wounds in their Mascot apartment.
The Supreme Court heard that Eriksen told a Triple Zero operator he had ‘put a knife in’ his long-term de facto partner during an argument in April 2023. The call was made after Ms Fenwick was found dead, and Eriksen’s chilling words would later become a damning piece of evidence in his trial.
Justice Andrew Coleman handed down the sentence, saying that while some may consider it a de facto life sentence, the court was required to impose a punishment that appropriately denounced the crime and vindicated the dignity of Ms Fenwick. Eriksen had represented himself during the trial, but had Legal Aid lawyers for the sentence proceedings – although he terminated their services for unknown reasons.
The court was placed in an ‘unusual’ position, Justice Coleman observed, as there was no material to help understand Eriksen’s circumstances after he refused to participate in the preparation of reports and see a psychologist. As a result, the court was unable to make a ‘sensible assessment’ about his prospects of rehabilitation.
In a heartbreaking development, the trial heard that Ms Fenwick had texted a friend prior to her murder saying she wanted there to be ‘a record’ in case anything happened to her. ‘If anything happens to me, believe I am of sound mind. I am fearful of Tony,’ the message said. In another text message to a different friend, she said, ‘Tony is acting quite strangely’ and she did not feel safe with him.
The Crown told jurors that the relationship had been deteriorating for years due to Eriksen’s unemployment and reliance upon Ms Fenwick for financial support. There was also evidence suggesting she wanted him to move out and was actively looking for another place to live.
Justice Coleman said the case was one of many where violence led to the death of an innocent woman who was vulnerable and unable to break free from the shackles of a relationship. ‘Attacks such as Eriksen’s are cowardly and inexcusable,’ he said.
Eriksen will first be eligible to apply for parole in 2043, a date that will likely bring little comfort to the family and friends of Lisa Fenwick, who was brutally taken from them in a senseless act of violence.