Deceased
Logan Losurdo
Demographics
20y, male
Coroner
Decision ofMagistrate K Perry, Coroner
Date of death
2021-11-26
Finding date
2024-12-19
Cause of death
Unascertained - cause of death could not be determined due to advanced decomposition and state of the body
AI-generated summary
Logan Losurdo, aged 20, was last seen leaving Magenta Shores at 1:10am on 26 November 2021 after consuming significant quantities of alcohol and cocaine throughout the evening. He made a call to '0' at 2:18am with background water sounds audible before his phone disconnected from the network. His body was found headless on Soldiers Beach on 10 March 2022. The coroner could not determine cause or manner of death due to advanced decomposition. No medical issues were identified. The case highlights challenges in missing person investigations involving substance use, the limitations of post-mortem examination after prolonged water immersion, and the importance of emergency call systems functioning effectively to enable welfare checks and location tracking when callers are in distress.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Drugs involved
CORONERS COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES Inquest: Inquest into the death of Logan Losurdo Hearing dates: 19 August 2024 Date of Findings: 19 December 2024 Place of Findings: Local Court Gosford Findings of: Magistrate Kirralee Perry, Coroner Catchwords: CORONIAL LAW – unascertained manner of death; unascertained cause of death; evidence incapable of meaningful examination due to time in water File number: 2022/70700 Representation: Solicitor Assisting the Coroner: A/Sergeant Kai JAING, Specialist Advocates Unit, Operational Legal Services Command Findings: Identity: The person who died was Logan Losurdo Date of Death: Mr Losurdo died on or shortly after 26 November 2021 Place of death: Mr Losurdo died in the waters off the Entrance North beach, New South Wales Cause of death: The available evidence does not allow for any finding to be made as to the cause of Mr Losurdo’s death Manner of death: The available evidence does not allow for any finding to be made as to the manner of Mr Losurdo’s death
Table of Contents
Findings required by section 81(1) of the Coroners Act 2009 (NSW)………………………………….12 Identity Date of death Place of death Cause of death Manner of death
Introduction 1.1 Logan Losurdo was last seen alive at around 1.10am on 26 November 2021 leaving Magenta Shores. He had been out during the evening and night of 25 November 2021 to a workmates farewell party at Terrigal Hotel. He had dinner and some beers and then headed to the Pocket Bar in Terrigal with his friend Luke Krawchuk. They both drank more alcohol there and when Logan left the Pocket Bar with Luke at around 11pm he was intoxicated. Logan’s friend Jessica GATT picked them up. After a quantity of drugs was consumed in the car by Logan and his friends he asked Jessica to drive them to Luke’s house on Pebble Beach Avenue, Magenta.
Luke and Logan went for a walk at Magenta and then parted ways around 1.10am and Logan told Luke he would walk home along Wilfred Barrett Drive to The Entrance.
1.2 Between 1.13am and 2.18am there were a number of attempts on Logan’s phone to contact friends, some of which resulted in a short conversation. At 2.18am records show that Logan dialled “0” on his phone. The call was connected with the Telstra Operator but was not forwarded to emergency services because the caller did not say anything.
1.3 Logan did not attend work on 26 November 2021 and was uncontactable during the day. Logan was reported missing on 26 November 2021 and was subsequently confirmed deceased when his remains were found on Soldiers Beach in Norah Head, New South Wales on 10 March 2022.
He was 20 years old at the time of his death.
2.1 Under the Coroners Act 2009 (the Act) a Coroner has the responsibility to investigate all reportable deaths. This investigation is conducted primarily so that a Coroner can answer questions that they are required to answer pursuant to the Act, namely; the identity of the person who died, when and where they died, what was the cause of their death and what was the manner of their death.
2.2 The coronial investigation that followed the events of 25 and 26 November 2021 identified that Logan had been at a party of the evening of 25 November 2021 and he had then attended Magenta Shores with his friend Luke. He was last seen alive there and the next sighting of him was when the body of a headless male was found washed up on Soldiers Beach on 10 March 2022.
2.3 The inability to determined how the body came to be in the condition that it was, the state of decomposition of the body and the lack of eye witnesses raised a number of questions about the manner of and the cause of Logan’s death. For all of these reasons, an inquest was required to be held.
2.4 It must not be forgotten that the coronial process and the process of an inquest means that families who have lost a loved one are often compelled to re-live distressing memories, often several years after the trauma is experienced. This is also often in a public forum. Their loss and grieving does not reduce significantly over those years and often the questions of families
and friends are left unanswered. The impact over time of the investigation and then the coronial process can not be underestimated.
3.2 Around this time Logan found out that his aunty was not his biological mother . Unfortunately he never made contact with his mother as she had already passed away. The truth about his mother had a significant impact upon his mental health and well being.
3.3 The boys lived with Mr Stefans in Magenta before moving to their home in Terilbah Place, the Entrance North around 2016. When he was about 17 years old Logan moved in with his friend Nelson Artup in The Entrance because Mr Stefans was too strict and there were too many rules.
3.4 Logan and Nelson went to Tumbi Umbi High School at Tuggerah Lakes and played football for The Entrance Tigers. Logan was in nippers and was a surf lifesaver until he was 14 years old.
Since 2017 Logan worked in local restaurants and in 2019 after the completion of high school he moved out of Nelsons home and lived in a number of locations around Erina, Forresters Beach and Gosford.
3.5 Between February and November 2020 Logan was in a relationship with Chloe McKeon and they had a daughter together on 12 August 2021. The relationship deteriorated and Logan had never met his daughter.
3.6 Around August 2021, Logan began seeing Rachel Alcorn who had been a friend for about 4 years. They were in daily contact up until the day of Logan’s disappearance.
3.7 In June 2021, Logan was due to move to his accommodation at Macquarie University where he was studying psychology full-time on a scholarship. When Covid lockdowns were enforced he moved back to reside with Mr Stefans instead. Around this time, he also returned to work two to three days a week at the Cheeky Charlies Café in the Fountain Plaza, Erina.
3.8 In October 2021, a number of past domestic violence allegations were made to Police by Chloe against Logan. This did not result in any criminal charges. However, on 4 November 2021, an apprehended domestic violence order was made for the protection of both Chloe and their daughter. The order also prohibited any contact. Logan intended to challenge the order and engaged a lawyer. He had reportedly started selling prohibited drugs to pay for the legal costs.
Logan was both emotionally and financially stressed due to this ongoing issue.
3.9 Logan had also attempted to mediate with Chloe in relation to his daughter with the assistance from family law lawyers. An appointment was made for 22 November 2021. Logan was excited at the prospect of finally seeing his daughter. However, this did not occur due to the imposition of the AVO. Logan was devastated that Chloe would not allow him to be part of their daughter’s life.
3.10 Logan’s behaviour had noticeably changed around this time, with increased alcohol consumption and use of illicit substances. This often caused conflict between him and Mr Stefans with rules prohibiting him from returning home drunk or under the influence. Logan had to frequently stay overnight a friend’s places to sober up before returning home.
Medical history 4.1 Logan was generally fit and did not have any significant health issues. He was using cocaine and had seen a psychologist in the past. There was no known history of mental health diagnoses or threats or attempts at self harm.
Events of 25 and 26 November 2021 5.1 About 5:45pm on 25 November 2021, Mr Stefans received message from Logan that he would be going to a party that night and would be home by 10pm. About 20 minutes later, Logan returned home after work to change and he left again at around 6.30pm. He was wearing black shorts, white Reebok branded shoes, black t-shirt, and a black hooded jacket when he left. This was the last time Mr Stefans saw Logan.
5.2 After leaving home, Logan met up with Luke Krawchuk. They ordered an Uber and were dropped off outside the Terrigal Hotel at 7:12pm where they attended a workmate’s farewell party. Logan had dinner, some beers and spent about $50 on the poker machines at the hotel.
5.3 At 8:50pm, Logan and Luke left the hotel with some friends and made their way to the Pocket Bar in Terrigal CBD at 9:14pm where more alcohol was consumed. Logan was intoxicated when he left the bar with Luke around 11pm. They were picked up by Logan’s university friend, Jessica Gatt, in her Toyota Yaris. After leaving the Pocket Bar, the following events took place:
Logan directed Jessica to drive to Tumbi Umbi so he could supply cocaine to a customer, this was not a cash transaction, Logan did not receive payment for this transaction on the night.
At the completion of the supply, Jessica was asked to pick up a friend, Ethan Smith, from Tuggerah and drive him home to Berkeley Vale.
At around 11:30pm, Logan messaged Rachel Alcorn via snapchat that he was on his way home with a photo of him in Jessica’s car. That was the last time Rachel heard from Logan.
Logan and Luke snorted some cocaine in the car using a rolled up 5 dollar note.
After picking up Ethan, under Logan’s direction, Jessica drove the group back to Tumbi Umbi, as the customer complained about the quality of the drug Logan had supplied.
After resolving the customer’s issue, Jessica was directed to drop Ethan home in Berkeley Vale.
During the journey, Logan, Luke and Ethan shared more cocaine together.
After sending Ethan home, Jessica wanted to drive Logan home, but he refused as he did not want Mr Stefans to see him home intoxicated and affected by drugs. Logan then directed Jessica to drive to Luke’s place.
5.4 Around midnight on 26 November 2021, Logan and Luke left Jessica’s car outside Luke’s house on Pebble Beach Avenue Magenta. Logan paid Jessica $50 for the ride. She was not happy about the way how Logan treated her, ordered around the central coast, and consumed cocaine in her car with his friends. She left without speaking to Logan.
5.5 Logan then wanted to go for a walk around Magenta with Luke. During the walk, Logan said that his life felt like a steep slope, and everything was an uphill battle. He did not know how long he would be able to keep fighting and that it was “killing” him. He said what affected him the most was learning the truth about his mother but never had the chance to speak to her. All Logan wanted was unconditional love from someone. He started crying and said that he just wanted to be in his mother’s embrace. Logan also talked about suicide multiple times. Luke attempted to motivate Logan and focus on his future goals. The two eventually looped back to Luke’s house at around 1:10am on 26 November 2021 when they parted ways as both had work in the morning. Logan told Luke that he will walk home which was about 30 minutes on foot.
Logan was last sighted walking southwest on Pebble Beach Avenue back towards Wilfred Barret Drive.
5.6 At 1:13am, Logan messaged Jessica apologizing for how he behaved towards her that night.
That was the last time Jessica heard from Logan.
5.7 At 1:30am, Luke messaged Logan via snapchat and told him to get some sleep before work in the morning. Logan responded 5 minutes later and said, “I’m not even home yet…”. However, Luke did not see this message until 6am.
5.8 At 2:08am, Logan tried to call Nelson, but it was not answered. He did not leave a voice mail.
Nelson only saw the missed call when he woke up at 5:30am.
5.9 At 2:16am, Logan called another friend, Mahkye Brownlie, who answered. The conversation was short as Mahkye had work in the morning and was asleep at the time. The call ended with Logan saying, “yeah right mate, love yah.” Mahkye did not notice anything out of the ordinary.
5.10 At 2:18am, records show that Logan had dialled “0” on his phone. The call was connected to the Telstra Operator but was not forwarded on to any emergency services as caller did not say anything.
5.11 Logan did not attend work on 26 November 2021 and was uncontactable throughout the day.
Nelson became concerned and attended Mr Stefan’s place after work with his mother around 5:30pm. After some enquiries, Logan’s disappearance was reported to Police on the same day.
6.2 At 11pm on 26 November 2021, Police conducted a search on foot of the Wilfred Barrett Drive and its adjacent bushlands between Pebble Beach Avenue Magenta and Terilbah Place, The Entrance North. Nothing of interest was located. Enquiries were made with local hospitals and health services, including Gosford and Wyong Hospitals, without any records of Logan being admitted.
6.3 On 28 November 2021, an extensive land, sea and aerial search was conducted. On the same day, geotargeted SMS messages were authorised and sent to all mobile numbers within the vicinity of Norah Head, Magenta, The Entrance, The Entrance North, Bateau Bay and Shelley Beach seeking public assistance with any information or sightings of Logan. Police subsequently received the following items of clothing from members of the public:
Logan’s black jacket found in the rear yard of 145 Hutton Road by the property owner on 27 November 2021 along the boundary fence with Coogee Avenue, The Entrance North. Ownership was confirmed by DNA comparison.
Logan’s shoes which were located on the sand at the North Entrance Beach close to the Simpson Street access about ten metres from the water’s edge. The shoes were wet and sandy. The laces were tied up and tucked under the tongue on both shoes.
Police also obtained receipt for the same shoes which showed that Logan had purchased them online on 10 November 2021. Ownership was confirmed by DNA comparison.
6.4 Police spoke to and obtained statements from all persons who had interactions with Logan on the night of 25 and 26 November 2021, including his family, friends, work colleagues, the people who Logan supplied cocaine to on the night, and even occupants of a car which was captured on CCTV on Pebble Beach Avenue minutes after Logan’s last sighting. The details from these statements are supported by CCTV footages collected.
6.5 CCTV from Terrigal Hotel and the Pocket Bar confirmed Logan and Luke’s movements before being collected by Jessica on the night of 25 November 2021.
6.6 CCTV from the Pullman Magenta Shores resort showed Logan walking west on Pebble Beach Avenue towards Wilfred Barrett Drive Magenta at 1:06am on 26 November 2021, consistent with Luke’s version of when they parted ways. Logan was alone at the time. This was the last sighting of Logan.
Also noted from this footage was at 1:08am, a white Toyota Camry appeared on Pebble Beach Avenue and stopped near a streetlight pole. A male, confirmed not to be Logan, approached
from the east and was met by the front passenger of the car. They both walked out of the camera view before the front passenger returned to the car which drove off at 1:10am. The occupants of the car were later identified and spoken to by Police. The front passenger of the vehicle, a Mr Robert Smith also participated in an electronically recorded Police interview.
None of the occupants of the vehicle saw Logan or anyone else at the time they stopped on Pebble Beach Avenue on 26 November 2021.
6.7 Police also received and analysed the call charge records of Logan’s mobile service between 17 and 30 November 2021. It was identified that at 2:18am on 26 November 2021, Logan dialled zero on his phone. The call was automatically terminated after 11 seconds. The call was connected to triple zero but not forwarded on to any emergency services as the caller did not speak and the duration of the call was not long enough for the phone’s location to be ascertained.
7.2 The identity of the body was confirmed using DNA comparison on 18 March 2022 to be that of Mr Logan Losurdo. His death was subsequently reported to the Coroner.
a). Reports of drug deal at Magenta Shores 9.1 At paragraph 6.6 above, the CCTV from the Pullman Magenta Shores Resort identified a white Toyota Camry car in the vicinity. Logan’s family were concerned that the occupants of the car were involved in some way. Detective Senior Constable Jay Stewart gave evidence at the inquest that all four occupants of the vehicle were spoken to and he was satisfied none were involved.
9.2 Mr Robert Smith who was an occupant of the white Camry saw the missing person add in Queensland and notified Police that he was the person identified in the CCTV. He confirmed he was there but that he did not see Logan. He participated in a record of interview and said that he went to meet Jeremy Goldstraw on 26 November 2021 to deal drugs. He said the other three people in the car were Chloe Jamieson, Daniel Withington and Rochelle. He said he did not see anyone else walk up to Jeremy.
9.3 Chloe Jamieson participated in a record of interview on 10.12.21. She said she was in the back seat of the car. At first she said the red car was already there, then once she viewed CCTV she said maybe it was already there and she was not paying attention. She said she had never heard the name Logan.
9.4 The Officer in Charge gave evidence that he spoke to Daniel Withington who had hired the car and he was the driver. He declined to provide a statement but confirmed that they did not see anyone else on the night.
9.5 Rochelle Bransby declined to provide a statement.
9.6 Jeremy Goldstraw identified himself to police and said that he had purchased drugs from the people in the white car. The Officer in Charge gave evidence that he refused to participate in a record of interview or statement.
9.7 The CCTV showed that at 1:06:40am brake lights from a vehicle believed to be driven by Jeremy Goldstraw can be seen to the left of the camera view on Pebble Beach Avenue towards Wilfred Barrett Drive. The lights go out after 5 seconds. Mr Goldstraw told police that he purchased drugs from the people in the car that night.
9.8 At 1:07:14 Logan walks out of camera view. Logan was identified by his clothing which was shorts and a black jacket. Logan headed towards his home at The Entrance.
9.9 At 1:08:24 the White Camry driven by Mr Withington carrying Robert Smith and Chloe Jamieson travelled along Wilfred Barrett Drive and stopped alongside a streetlight.
9.10 Mr Goldstraw approaches Mr Smith and both walk out of camera view where quantity of cannabis is supplied.
9.11 1:09:50 Mr Smith goes back to Camry and at 1:10 the Camry turns right onto Wilfred Barrett Drive towards Toukley. The other car turns in the same direction towards Toukley.
Conclusion The evidence of the presence of the White Camry and the car driven by Mr Goldstraw does not provide any basis to conclude that any of the occupants of either vehicle were involved in the disappearance of Logan.
b). Events after leaving Magenta Shores 9.12 Logan’s family have concerns about Logan’s movements after he left Pebble Beach Avenue at Magenta. Unfortunately, Logan’s exact movements remain unknown. Any initial assumptions were based on the evidence gathered from the location of his clothing, his wallet, rolled up $5 note with the cocaine, information about the rules at Mr Stefans home and his fear of his drug use being discovered.
Conclusion On the evidence available the exact movements of Logan after he left Pebble Beach Avenue remain unknown.
c). 000 call from Logan’s phone 9.13 The call made to “0” which was put through to emergency services was played in court. There is a faint sound of water in the back ground. The call was not transferred to triple 0 because the called did not speak. The call connected with the Magenta phone tower and at the same time the phone ceased to register to the mobile network.
9.14 The Officer in Charge gave evidence that the advanced mobile location system can detect the location of a call. There was no record of the call to “0” and Police were never made aware of the car or requested to attend for a welfare check.
Conclusion The call to “0” was not connected to triple “0” and no location tracking was conducted. The evidence available is insufficient to allow a conclusion that Logan made the call in distress or that it could or should have been tracked.
d). Phone usage 9.15 Logan used his phone to make calls, send messages and use snapchat after he left Magenta.
To request information from Google a preservation order would be made to the respective company for a mutual legal assistance treaty. Detective Senior Constable Jay Stewart gave evidence that he started this process, however it was later deemed unnecessary because the evidence in terms of his communication to others on the night was able to be sufficiently established from witnesses and CCTV.
9.16 On the night Logan called Mahkye Brownlie. The conversation was brief and nothing abnormal was detected in the voice or tone from Logan. Detective Senior Constable Jay Stewart gave evidence that he was satisfied that Mahkye Brownlie was not involved in Logan’s disappearance.
Conclusion No preservation order or mutual legal assistance treaty were pursued because the Police could obtain the necessary details of Logan’s communication from witnesses and call charge records.
e). Evidence in relation to the body 9.17 The family were concerned in relation to information conveyed to them concerning the state of the body when it was found. They have also inquired as to how the head became severed and whether substances were found in Logan’s body.
9.18 Dr Clifton has provided additional information to the Police that there is no way to ascertain how the head became separated from the body.
9.19 Toxicology testing was conducted on Logan’s body and the testing detected substances indicative of cocaine and alcohol use prior to his death, but there is no way to quantify these substances.
9.20 There is no way of ascertaining the duration the body was in the water, however, the PostMortem and decomposition changes indicate that the body was in water for a considerable period of time 9.21 There were no lungs to be examined due to the state of decomposition.
Conclusion The state of decomposition meant that there were no lungs to be examined and toxicology were unable to detect the level of illicit substances and alcohol. Further, there is no way to determine how the head became separated from Logan’s body.
f). Drug use and money 9.22 The Officer in charge gave evidence that Logan supplied cocaine to Mr Cristian Acevedo and Jack Devlin on the night of 25 November 2021 for $500. The order was made through Mahkye Brownlie. Logan was delivering the drugs and payment was possibly through a transfer to Brownlie. There was no transfer on Logan’s account. There was no evidence to suggest that any money exchanged hands on this night. Noone told Police that any money exchanged in the car. Bank records for Logan and Mahkye Brownlie were examined.
Conclusion The only money found was the $10 note and the rolled up $5 note. There was no evidence of money changing hands for any drug deal.
Recommendations 10.1 I do not believe there are any necessary recommendations to be made as a result of this inquest.
Conclusions 11.1 Ultimately, Detective Senior Constable Jay Stewart gave evidence that as a result of compiling the phone records, CCTV, interviews with occupants of the car and all other aspects of the investigation that there were no suspicious circumstances involved in Logan’s disappearance.
11.2 It seems likely that Logan arrived at The Entrance North as planned when he left Luke’s at Magenta.
The details of his movements from that point are unclear. It seems he may have entered the water near Simpson and Coogee Avenue, The Entrance North. His purpose for entering the water remains unclear. The point of entry is based on the location of his wallet and clothes, along with where his shoes were found on the beach with the laces tucked in under the tongue.
11.3 He had consumed a large amount of cocaine and alcohol throughout the night. The rolled up $5 note and the 5 bags of cocaine are indicative of recent drug use.
11.4 Whilst friends and family commented that he was suffering because of the proceedings with Chloe and also the lack of contact with his daughter, none of them thought he was suicidal. Luke told Police that he spoke to Logan as they walked around Magenta Shores about his life, he was upset and he spoke about suicide on a number of occasions. However, he then returned home and Logan left to walk to his house. On the evidence available I am unable to find on the balance of probabilities that Logan ended his own life by intentional self harm. It seems he had appointments and plans that he had made moving forward and he had shown no signs of being suicidal.
11.5 It is likely that Logan was in the water or at the waters edge when he dialled “0” on his phone. The water can be heard in the recording. His phone loses contact with the network after this. Logan then does not report for work in the morning on 26 November 2021 and was uncontactable that day. Nelson became concerned and attended upon Mr Stefan’s work place later that day and the disappearance was reported.
11.6 I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Logan entered the water at 2.18am or shortly after, and that he died on or shortly after 26 November 2021.
11.7 There is a lot that remains unclear in this inquest. It is for those reasons that I am unable to be satisfied on the balance of probabilities of the cause and manner of death for Logan.
11.8 I thank the team assisting for their outstanding search efforts and support in the conduct of this matter. In particular, I thank Detective Senior Constable Jay Stewart for his thorough investigation and compiling of the brief of evidence. I also thank solicitor assisting A/Sergeant Kai Jaing for his thorough preparation of this matter and for his comprehensively submissions, which are extracted
and form part of these reasons, in particular in relation to Logan’s background and the investigation.
Date of Death Logan died on or shortly after 26 November 2021. His last phone contact was 2.18am and then his phone lost connection with the network. He did not report for work that morning.
Place of death Logan died in the waters off The Entrance North Beach, New South Wales. It seems on the balance of probabilities that he entered the water at a location in the vicinity of Simpson and Coogee Avenue, The Entrance North while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol.
Cause of death The available evidence does not allow for any finding to be made as to the cause of Mr Losurdo’s death Manner of death The available evidence does not allow for any finding to be made as to the manner of Mr Losurdo’s death 12.2 On behalf of the Coroners Court of New South Wales, I offer my sincere and respectful condolences to Mr Stefan’s, to Matthew and Baillee, and to Nicole, her husband and her son. I have no doubt that Logan had a lasting impact on all of your lives and I am sure you deeply feel the of him every day. I extend my thoughts also to Logan’s friends, his daughter and other loved ones for their most tragic and devastating loss.
12.3 I close this inquest.
Magistrate Kirralee Perry Coroner, Gosford 18 December 2024
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