No finding in island death
Coroner blasts lies, ‘ anomalies’
THE coronial investigation into the “suspicious” 2015 death of a Flinders Island man was marred by lies, anomalies and the “non- attendance of important witnesses”, a court has heard.
Handing down her findings in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Coroner Olivia McTaggart said it was “impossible” to know what caused the death of Robert Charles Mansell, 42.
She found he disappeared between 3.30am and 8am on August 15 in the company of his friend Joshua Kennedy and died on or in waters around Flinders Island.
Mr Kennedy, who was 20 at the time, gave an account that he had been fishing with Mr Mansell on Salmon Rock at the mouth of North East River on Flinders Island.
In an affidavit, he said Mr Man sell climbed down rocks attempting to ret trieve a s snagged lure, slipped s into deep, fast flowing water and disappeared below the surface. He described a courageous rescue effort in which he dived in and swam “a fair way” to his friend, despite having poor eyesight and being a weak swimmer.
“I kept trying to get Robbie back up onto the rock,” the affidavit said. “Then we got hit by a second wave and I lost my grip on Robbie. I didn’t see him after that.”
Ms McTaggart said she considered the case suspicious.
“In particular, the account of Mr Kennedy contained anomalies that suggested his version of Mr Mansell’s disappearance may not be truthful,” she said.
“It is quite plausible that Mr Kennedy had a physical fight with Mr Mansell leading to Mr Mansell falling into the water or being pushed into the water.”
Records showed Mr Kennedy did not attempt to call triple- 0, despite having phone reception and telling police that he tried but had no credit or coverage.
After a second investigation in 2018, the Director of Public Prosecutions determined no charges should lie against Mr Kennedy in respect of Mr Mansell’s death.
Ms McTaggart said there were “potentially suspicious” circumstances that required more thorough investigation by police, who did not instigate a full investigation on the possibility of homicide.