A coronial inquest has found missing Darwin man Richard Roe is likely dead, possibly due to dehydration. The judge recommends raising the reward for information leading to a conviction over his disappearance from $250,000 to $500,000.
Source URL: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-26/coronial-inquest-recommends-richard-roe-police-reward-be-raised/104650372
Published Date: 2024/11/26
A Northern Territory inquest has found that missing former concreter Richard Roe is likely dead, and may have perished by dehydration in remote bushland. Despite this, the judge has not ruled out that Mr. Roe may have been killed by foul play.
Judge Stephen Geary has recommended the monetary reward for any evidence that leads to a conviction over Mr. Roe’s disappearance be substantially raised. The current reward of $250,000 is suggested to be doubled to $500,000.
Background
Richard Roe, a 40-year-old father from Darwin, has been missing since October 25, 2016. His disappearance was the subject of a coronial inquest.
Key Findings
The coronial findings have determined that Richard Roe is likely deceased, with dehydration being a possible cause of death. However, it has not been ruled out that he may have been killed by foul play.
Recommendation
Judge Stephen Geary has recommended that the monetary reward for any evidence leading to a conviction over Mr. Roe’s disappearance be substantially raised from $250,000 to $500,000.
Context
Mr. Roe was last seen in 2016 near Lake Bennett, where he was having issues with his car and appeared disoriented and agitated. His long-term use of illicit drugs and increasing consumption before his death have been noted as factors that may have contributed to his demise.
Implications
The coronial findings acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding Mr. Roe’s cause of death, which will not provide his family with the answers they seek. The recommendation to increase the police reward is aimed at facilitating progress in finding Mr. Roe and bringing those responsible for his disappearance to justice.
Related Topics
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Missing Person: Richard Roe
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NT Police
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Courts
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Darwin
Mr. Roe was last seen in 2016 near the rural holiday spot of Lake Bennett, 86 kilometers south-east of Darwin. He was reportedly having issues with his car and was in a disoriented and agitated state.
Judge Geary said there was insufficient evidence to rule out either hypothesis of Mr. Roe’s death. “Mr. Roe was a long-term user of illicit drugs, and [there was] evidence of his drug consumption increasing in the period leading up to his death,” Judge Geary said. “His behavior indicated paranoia and agitation and he was described as being forgetful, disorganized, and paranoid.”
“All of these factors increased the risk of dehydration resulting in progressive failure of normal physiological processes. It is possible that Mr. Roe perished in bushland and that his remains and other items of evidentiary value could not be located due to the conditions, the terrain or due to Mr. Roe walking into an area that was not part of an identified search area.”
The coronial findings have recommended the reward for information on Richard Roe be doubled. Judge Geary wrote in his findings he was aware the lack of a firm cause of death would not provide the 40-year-old father’s “long-suffering family with the answers that they seek.”
