Warning: This story discusses rape and may be distressing for some readers.
A father whose teenage daughter was raped by multimillionaire property developer Mark Lyon who was later jailed for drugs and sex offences says it's a relief that he's died.
Lyon, an Auckland property developer, was jailed in 2014 on drug and sex charges and was serving a 15-year sentence during his death. He died in Waikato Hospital on July 29.
The New Zealand Herald reported Lyon was in Tongariro Prison in Waikato when he became gravely unwell.
While Corrections confirmed to Newshub that a prisoner had died, they wouldn't confirm the identity.
"As the man's death remains subject to investigation, and the Coroner is yet to determine the cause, we are limited in the amount of detail that we are able to provide," said Tongariro Prison director Megan Tuhoro.
In December 2014, Lyon was sentenced to 15 years in prison on two charges of sexual violation, as well as supplying drugs and commercial sexual services to underage girls.
His offending included a series of sex offences where he plied women with drugs and would shackle them in a secret "dungeon" he'd developed in the apartment complex he owned. He also tortured at least one woman.
The father of one of Lyon's victims, who cannot be named to protect his daughter's identity, said he's pleased Lyon never got to experience freedom again before he died.
"He's an evil man and a pervert and the best place for him is in a box, and he's there now cold on the slab there somewhere," he told Newshub.
"Although I do feel a great deal of sympathy for Cliff Lyon [Mark's father] and the family, because, after all, he was their son, I can't help feeling a great sense of relief that he is dead."
His daughter was 14 years old when Lyon raped her and said it destroyed her life.
"It destroyed my sense of being a father that could protect my daughter. It has done huge damage to her mother. I know her mother is just absolutely horrified by what happened," he said.
"It all comes down to methamphetamine. [My daughter] got involved with drugs at an early age and went searching for methamphetamine and that's how she met Lyon."
Although Lyon died just days ago, the father said it's brought up a huge range of emotions.
"I've felt like crying a couple of times, but I haven't, but that may happen over the next few days.
"I'm just pleased that it's an end to it now. He's gone, he won't be back, and that's the best thing."
His daughter has since gone through rehabilitation and years of counselling with a clinical psychologist. She also now has a "lovely young man" as a partner, he added.
