Missing man dead: ruling
A CORONER has ruled Gold Coast man Jesse Kearney likely died of hypothermia when he went missing in the Tamborine Mountain rainforest.
Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley told the Southport Coroners Court Mr Kearney was deceased, and likely died in the rainforest north of Golf Course Road, Tamborine Mountain between February 19 and 20, 2015.
“It is likely he succumbed to hypothermia while suffering the effects of ingestion of methylamphetamine,” she said
But she said the cause of his death remained undetermined. Mr Kearney was last seen on February 19, 2015.
Coroner Bentley concluded no other person had any involvement in his disappearance.
During a three-day inquest earlier this month the court heard allegations Mr Kearney may have met with foul play.
But Coroner Bentley said: “I find that the persons who made such allegations did so either on the basis of unreliable information provided to them by others or fabricated the allegations themselves …”
She concluded Mr Kearney was affected by ice, which he had been using for two days prior to his death.
“By the time he was last seen Jesse had not slept for at least 48 hours,” the findings concluded.
“His behaviour as described by those who saw him last (up until about 10pm on February 19) was consistent with a person suffering paranoia and hypothermia due to the effects of methylamphetamine.
“It is probable that Jesse lost consciousness and died from hypothermia.“
His remains have not been found despite extensive searches. No recommendations were made.