Vicki Letele

Vicki Letele was jailed last year for property fraud. Soon after she started her sentence she was diagnosed with stomach cancer and given six months to live.

RNZI reports her family unsuccessfully appealed to the Parole Board for an early release, before the Corrections Department agreed to review the decision.

Corrections urged the board to urgently consider compassionate release, resulting in that decision being overturned in November, and Letele being released from Wiri Prison.

Her brother Dave said she died peacefully surrounded by her family last night.

The Parole Board declined Vicki Letele's initial request to be freed from her sentence for fraud because of her stomach cancer, but reversed that decision yesterday after a vocal campaign by her family and supporters.

Vicki Letele, who was serving a three-year jail term, was last night allowed to return home after the Parole Board agreed to release her on compassionate grounds.

Her brother Dave Letele met his sister at the prison yesterday and said she was doing well.