Top cop says murderer Dante Arthurs should ‘never get out of prison’, weeks before he is eligible for parole

WA’s top cop says depraved child killer Dante Arthurs should spend the rest of his life behind bars, after news the monster could potentially be released on parole in a matter of weeks. Arthurs was jailed for life for the sexual assault and murder of eight-year-old Sofia Rodriguez-Urrutia Shu in the bathrooms at Canning Vale’s Livingston Marketplace Shopping Centre in June 2006. The then 21-year-old was imprisoned for life in 2007 with a non-parole period of 13 years. The Prisoners Review Board, which makes parole recommendations to the Attorney-General, has confirmed Arthurs’ freedom is up for review in May. Speaking on Tuesday, Police Commissioner Col Blanch said Arthurs should “never get out of prison”. “A man in our community raped and murdered a little girl, and I think people know me well enough to know exactly what I think Dante Arthurs should be doing for the rest of his life,” Mr Blanch said. “I support people never getting out of prison in that circumstance.” Former police officer Paul Litherland — who worked as a family liaison officer with the Mater Christ Primary School student’s family — launched a petition to keep Arthurs behind bars that now has more than 152,000 signatures. Mr Litherland said he and Sofia’s family were concerned Arthurs would reoffend if released. “It was a crime that rocked the nation and there was a lot of controversy around him (Arthurs) as well ... he had a pattern of behaviour which sadly led to his interaction with Sofia that day,” he said. “His high-level offending and his attitude and his lack of (remorse) is something that resonated with the community and I think there’s a very strong fear there’s a likelihood he could reoffend. “We just want to send the message that the community is still reeling and still very concerned about the chances of him reoffending.” A spokesperson from Premier Roger Cook’s office said the murder had “sickened” the WA community and acknowledged it was a “difficult” time for Sofia’s family. “This was a crime that sickened the Western Australian community, and the family of Sofia Rodriguez-Urrutia Shu continue to live with the pain of her tragic murder every day,” the spokesperson said. “Understandably, it is a difficult time for her loved ones when the matter comes up for review by the Prisoners Review Board.” Arthurs has previously been refused parole in 2019 and 2022.