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Coroner's Court of Western Australia

Government of Western Australia State Coat of Arms
Coroner's Court of Western Australia

Inquest Findings

Home →Inquest Findings→Inquest Findings 2019→Nunn, Derrick Charles Walter

Inquest into the Suspected Death of Derrick Charles Walter NUNN

Inquest into the Suspected Death of Derrick Charles Walter NUNN

Delivered on :11 December 2019

Delivered at : Perth

Finding of : Coroner Vicker

Recommendations :N/A

Orders/Rules : N/A

Suppression Order : N/A

Summary : on the 23 December 1973 the Derrick Charles Walter Nunn (Mr Nunn) was fishing from a rock at Cape Vancouver in the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve at Nannerup with his son and friend. The deceased on a rock ledge when a wave swept over the rock face and knocked him into the water. Mr Nunn was seen to be treading water, however, was not able to swim further out. Mr Nunn attempted to climb onto a sloping rock, but was unsuccessful. By the time Mr Nunn’s son and friend reached the point where they had last seen Mr Nunn he was nowhere to be found and was never seen again. He was 44 years of age.

Police and local authorities instituted quite extensive searches both at sea and along the coast over the remaining days, however, no trace of Mr Nunn was ever located. Those involved in the search with the police were people from the fishing fleet, Fisheries Department, members of the pubic and friends and family of Mr Nunn. In addition friends of the family who were divers also searched the area unsuccessfully for months after Mr Nunn’s disappearance for any trace of his remains.

The Coroner was satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt Mr Nunn died on 23 December 1973 as a result of immersion in the seas off Cape Vancouver and death occurred by way of Misadventure.

Catch Words : Long Term Missing Person : Drowning : Misadventure.


Last updated: 24-Mar-2020

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