Last person executed in Australia. Known as "The Last Man Hanged." Forestry worker and petty thief. Hanged for the murder of prison warder George Hodson during an escape attempt in 1965. The defense attorneys argued that subsequent forensic evidence showed Ryan could not have fired the fatal shot. This was the first execution in Victoria since 1951 and strongly influenced public opinion against capital punishment.
UPDATE. When Ronald Ryan was buried in an unmarked grave on the Pentridge prison grounds his three daughters were young children. On the National Museum Australia website an article mentions Ryan's family wasn't even allowed to visit his grave. An article entitled, "New resting place for Ronald Ryan" in the October 29, 2007 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald, details how the now adult daughters appealed to have his body exhumed so Ryan could be buried next to his wife Dorothy Pirois at the Portland South cemetery . Then Premier John Brumby agreed and in February 2007, the Victorian government announced his body would be exhumed. Ryan's body was confirmed by DNA testing and cremated. He was then transported to the Portland cemetery and finally laid to rest beside his wife.
UPDATE. When Ronald Ryan was buried in an unmarked grave on the Pentridge prison grounds his three daughters were young children. On the National Museum Australia website an article mentions Ryan's family wasn't even allowed to visit his grave. An article entitled, "New resting place for Ronald Ryan" in the October 29, 2007 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald, details how the now adult daughters appealed to have his body exhumed so Ryan could be buried next to his wife Dorothy Pirois at the Portland South cemetery . Then Premier John Brumby agreed and in February 2007, the Victorian government announced his body would be exhumed. Ryan's body was confirmed by DNA testing and cremated. He was then transported to the Portland cemetery and finally laid to rest beside his wife.
Last person executed in Australia. Known as "The Last Man Hanged." Forestry worker and petty thief. Hanged for the murder of prison warder George Hodson during an escape attempt in 1965. The defense attorneys argued that subsequent forensic evidence showed Ryan could not have fired the fatal shot. This was the first execution in Victoria since 1951 and strongly influenced public opinion against capital punishment.
UPDATE. When Ronald Ryan was buried in an unmarked grave on the Pentridge prison grounds his three daughters were young children. On the National Museum Australia website an article mentions Ryan's family wasn't even allowed to visit his grave. An article entitled, "New resting place for Ronald Ryan" in the October 29, 2007 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald, details how the now adult daughters appealed to have his body exhumed so Ryan could be buried next to his wife Dorothy Pirois at the Portland South cemetery . Then Premier John Brumby agreed and in February 2007, the Victorian government announced his body would be exhumed. Ryan's body was confirmed by DNA testing and cremated. He was then transported to the Portland cemetery and finally laid to rest beside his wife.
UPDATE. When Ronald Ryan was buried in an unmarked grave on the Pentridge prison grounds his three daughters were young children. On the National Museum Australia website an article mentions Ryan's family wasn't even allowed to visit his grave. An article entitled, "New resting place for Ronald Ryan" in the October 29, 2007 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald, details how the now adult daughters appealed to have his body exhumed so Ryan could be buried next to his wife Dorothy Pirois at the Portland South cemetery . Then Premier John Brumby agreed and in February 2007, the Victorian government announced his body would be exhumed. Ryan's body was confirmed by DNA testing and cremated. He was then transported to the Portland cemetery and finally laid to rest beside his wife.
Bio by: Alison Somerville
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