Inquest into the Death of Trevor Henry Albert McDonald
Delivered on : 19 July 2024
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Coroner Jenkin
Recommendations : No
Orders/Rules : No
Suppression Order : N/A
Summary : Trevor Henry Arthur McDonald (Mr McDonald) went missing on 7 August 2021 while gold prospecting with his partner on Norie Station, about 25 km south of Meekatharra. At the time he went missing, Mr McDonald was 83-years of age.
When Mr McDonald failed to return to his vehicle while prospecting, his partner contacted police and reported he was missing at 7.03 pm on 7 August 2021. Police arrived at the prospecting location a short time later and conducted a search of the immediate area without success. At 11.00 pm that night, a search aircraft fitted with heat detection equipment conducted a 2.5 hour search over a 5 km radius, but no trace of Mr McDonald was detected.
Over the next five days, police coordinated an extensive search including aerial searches by aircraft and drones, and ground searches using State Emergency Service volunteers from around the State and police, as well as all-terrain vehicles.
A thorough police investigation (including a criminal investigation and proof of life checks) failed to unearth any evidence that Mr McDonald was alive, and since 7 August 2021, Mr McDonald has made no contact with any person.
The coroner was satisfied that during the search, police had deployed extensive resources, and that all reasonable efforts had been made to locate Mr McDonald. The coroner found that the search, and the police investigation into Mr McDonald’s disappearance was comprehensive and appropriate.
After considering all of the available evidence, the coroner found it had established, beyond all reasonable doubt, that Mr McDonald had died on or about 7 August 2021, in the vicinity of Norie Station near Meekatharra. The coroner was unable to determine the cause of Mr McDonald’s death, and made an open finding as to the manner of his death.
Catch Words : Missing Person : Prospecting : Open finding
Last updated: 20-Aug-2024
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