Inquest into the Suspected Death of Gordon COLLEY

Inquest into the Suspected Death of Gordon COLLEY

Delivered on :4 March 2020

Delivered at : Perth

Finding of : Coroner Vicker

Recommendations :N/A

Orders/Rules : N/A

Suppression Order : N/A

Summary : On 7 December 1997 Gordon Colley was seen to walk away from his home at Mundiwindi Station, south east of Newman, by his partner. Mr Colley’s partner reported Mr Colley as suffering from depression, not taking his medication and was concerned about his welfare.

On the morning of 8 December 1997 Mr Colley’s partner advised Newman Police that Mr Colley had not returned to his home and as a result the Newman SES co-ordinator organised the SES in the area for a search and the surrounding stations of Sylvannia and Ethel Creek were advised of the need for a search to be conducted. The owner of Sylvannia Station volunteered to use his light plane and the owner of Ethel Creek Station volunteered to participate in the search with an aboriginal tracker. Newman SES had to be authorised by Meekatharra SES and Meekatharra advised they would be available for back up if required. Despite an extensive land search over the following days and enquiries with surrounding communities, Mr Colley was never seen or traces of him located again.

The Coroner was satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt Mr Colley died and was deceased in relative proximity to the time of his disappearance. The Coroner was unable to determine how the deceased died and made an Open Finding as to the manner of Mr Colley’s death.

Catch Words : Long Term Missing Person : Land and Air Search : Open Finding

Last updated: 24-Mar-2020

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