‘Forgotten victim’ in Keli Lane saga speaks out

The adult daughter of convicted killer Keli Lane says she is a forgotten victim of her mother’s ongoing detention and has urged her release on parole with more than two years remaining on her sentence.

“I am a forgotten victim in this situation,” the now 25-year-old daughter wrote in a letter to authorities, provided to Nine’s A Current Affair program.

“My hope is simple: that my mum can come home and that I can spend meaningful time with her, that is all I wish for.”

She recalled being dropped at school by her mother when she was nine years old, the last time she saw her before Lane was taken into custody after being convicted of the 1996 murder of her daughter Tegan.

While the daughter has not been named, the program aired previously unseen baby photographs of her with Lane.

Lane remains in custody serving an 18-year sentence expiring in December 2028. She has previously been denied parole due to NSW’s No Body, No Parole laws which prohibits release for convicted killers unless they provide satisfactory cooperation with police to locate victim remains.

She maintains she gave the daughter she was convicted of killing to the baby’s father.

Lane’s partner Patrick Cogan also spoke to A Current Affair, saying he believed Lane was innocent and “wouldn’t hurt a flea”. He and Lane dated as teenagers, later reuniting about 18 months before she was convicted.

“She’s my partner, she’s my girl,” Cogan said.

“At first we never thought she would be convicted.

“Time has just continued on, but our relationship has become stronger and stronger,” Cogan said.