Robert Xie will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being handed five life sentences for the murders of his two young nephews and three other relatives in their North Epping home.
It was almost eight years ago that Xie bludgeoned his brother-in-law Min Lin, 45, his wife Lily, 43, the couple’s sons Henry, 12, and Terry, 9, and Lily’s sister Irene, 39.
He was charged in May 2011 after an extensive investigation spanning Australia and the family’s native home in China.
Despite maintaining his innocence throughout, Xie was found guilty of the vicious murders last year.
Prosecutors said Xie – a former ear, nose and throat specialist – was motivated to kill his wife’s brother and his family because he was angered by his perceived lower status within the family.
In sentencing, Justice Elizabeth Fullerton said life sentences were reserved for the most shocking crimes and this case was ‘heinous in the extreme.’
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