Marvin M. Mundy could be home for the holidays.

The Richmond native who has spent 36 years in prison for his role in the 1988 murder of the night manager and a guest at a Henrico County hotel has been approved for parole.

In August the Richmond Free Press spotlighted the compelling case he made for release, and the Virginia Parole Board recently agreed he had served enough time.

The board on Sept. 8 approved his parole after the latest review of his fitness to leave prison and live a productive live.

His family said Mr. Mundy was overjoyed at the news, though he has some mandatory Department of Corrections’ programs he must complete before the prison doors will open for him.

He is expected to complete them within 90 days, his family said, which could allow him to celebrate Christmas with his fiancée, Michelle Leonard, and his family, outside of confinement.

It is unclear whether that will happen. His family said they are hopeful, but added no one would not be surprised if he were released in early 2024. He is currently housed in the Greensville Correctional Center.

Mr. Mundy’s request for parole received support from at least 14 Department of Corrections employees and various elected officials, including 4th District Congresswoman Jennifer L. McClellan, according to a report the Virginia Capital Case Clearinghouse (VCCC) at Washington and Lee University Law School wrote spelling out the reasons the Parole Board should release him.

During his time in prison, Mr. Mundy was credited with saving the lives of a guard at the Greensville Correctional Center and the warden at the Buckingham Correctional Center from attacks by other prisoners.

Since entering prison, the Muslim convert also has become a licensed barber who cuts other prisoners’ hair, completed high school, took training classes in eight different occupations, completed counseling programs and devised several counseling programs of his own to assist other inmates.