Inquest into the Suspected death of Julie CUTLER
Inquest into the Suspected Death of Julie Cutler
Delivered on : 6 April 2023
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Deputy State Coroner Linton
Recommendations : N/A
Orders/Rules : N/A
Suppression Order : N/A
Summary : Julie Cutler was last seen as she left a work function at the Parmelia Hotel just after midnight on 20 June 1998. Her empty car was found in the ocean off Cottesloe Beach two days later. An extensive search found no sign of Julie. She has not been seen or heard from again. It was quickly concluded by her family and the police that she was deceased, although no formal declaration of her death has ever been made. No person has ever been charged in relation to being involved in her death.
Since June 1998 there has been an ongoing investigation by the WA Police Force into Julie’s disappearance. In 2017, the Cold Case Homicide Squad commenced a new operation to review all of the evidence and investigate any new leads. A large number of witnesses were interviewed and other steps taken as part of this review. The investigation primarily focussed on whether another person was involved in her death, with a large number of possible suspects considered. Very few of the suspects have been able to be eliminated, but none of them have been able to be elevated to a level that would warrant interviewing them under the Criminal Investigation Act 2006 (WA). In any event, the majority of possible suspects cooperated with the investigation and provided information voluntarily. At the conclusion of the cold case investigation, a conclusion was reached that Julie was likely deceased and she died either as a result of suicide or homicide by a person or persons unknown.
An inquest was held, during which the evidence obtained from the cold case operation was tendered and a number of witnesses were called, including people who were last known to be in contact with Julie before her disappearance, as well as family and friends who could speak to Julie’s state of mind and general behaviour.
At the conclusion of the inquest, the Deputy State Coroner was satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt Julie is deceased and was deceased in relative proximity to the time of her disappearance. The Coroner was unable to determine how she died and made an Open Finding as to the manner of Julie’s death.
Catch Words : Long Term Missing Person: Suicide: Homicide: Open Finding
Last updated: 27-Apr-2023
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