Inquest into the suspected death of Frederick Richard WINSLOW
Delivered on: 13 February 2026
Delivered at: Perth
Finding of: Acting State Coroner Linton
Recommendations: N/A
Orders/Rules: N/A
Suppression Order: N/A
Summary:
Mr Winslow was born in London and immigrated to Australia by boat at 49 years of age, arriving on 20 October 1967 through Fremantle port. He was divorced from his wife, who remained in England with his only daughter, Mary. Mr Winslow was born in 1918, so if he were alive today he would be aged 107 years.
Mr Winslow was described as a ‘loner’ who appeared to be well educated and was always well presented. He was a non-drinker. Mr Winslow was believed to have been a member of the British Army before moving to Australia. In 1971 he worked for a short period as a bookkeeper at a station in Western Australia before he moved to Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, where he was a part owner in an opal mine.
Mr Winslow had a significant medical history, including pulmonary tuberculosis. As a result, he was in poor health in 1974. In April 1974, Mr Winslow moved to Port Hedland and formed a friendship with Mr Nicol. Mr Nicol states that Mr Winslow had no money and was unwell when they met, so he invited him to stay with him at the Cooke Point Caravan Park. Mr Nicol also carried out repairs on Fred’s vehicle, a blue and white Holden station wagon. In June 1974 they were joined by another man, Mr Belland the three men travelled to Darwin in their respective vehicles. Mr Bell and Mr Nicol then travelled on to South Australia, leaving Mr Winslow in Darwin where he took up residence at a boarding house.
On 1 December 1974, Kununurra Police were notified of a crashed vehicle located at the Golden Gate Cutting on the Duncan Highway near the Western Australia/Northen Territory border. Police attended the scene and found the vehicle unattended. The damage to the vehicle suggested the occupant(s) would have been injured as a result of the impact. A search of the area and enquiries with local hospitals did not identify any injured person who might be associated with the car.
Police investigations revealed the car was registered to Mr Winslow. Enquiries at his Darwin boarding boarding house found he was up to date with his rent and his personal belongings, including his passport, were in his room. Mr Winslow had advised people at the boarding house of his intention to drive to Wyndham to visit a friend and then return. He had not been seen since 28 November 1974 when he left Darwin to drive to Wyndham.
Medical records were obtained that revealed Mr Winslow had suffered a right-sided lung collapse on 13 November 1974 on a background of a chest infection. This information suggested Mr Winslow may have suffered a health event leading to the car crash and the incident was initially treated as a non-suspicious motor vehicle crash. However, suspicions were aroused when police could not locate Mr Winslow in any hospitals and a five day search assisted by trackers found no sign of him in the area where the vehicle was located. Further, an Aboriginal man came forward who claimed to have been in Mr Winslow’s vehicle with two other persons when the car crashed and it was feared the two men may have harmed Mr Winslow and taken his car. Police officers interviewed various persons of interest and ultimately they found no reliable evidence to support the person’s allegations. The initial missing person investigation found all evidence pointed to Mr Winslow having been the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time it crashed and it was believed he was deceased, although his body had not been located.
The original missing person investigation was recently reviewed by a Detective from the missing person team who considered further lines of inquiry that could be explored. They interviewed a relative in Australia, conducted proof of life checks and checked the unidentified human remains register to no avail. The Detective expressed an opinion consistent with conclusions other police who had initially investigated Mr Winslow’s death
The Acting State Coroner was satisfied that Mr Winslow had died on or around 1 December 1974 following the motor vehicle crash. His death was likely due to injuries sustained in that crash, but he may have also died from natural causes given his pre-existing health conditions. However, the cause of death must remain unascertained and the manner of death remains open.
Catch Words : Long term missing person : Open finding : Motor Vehicle Crash
Last updated: 1 April 2026