Deceased
Billy Ray Waters
Demographics
38y, male
Date of death
2019-08-04
Finding date
2022-01-24
Cause of death
shotgun wound to the head
AI-generated summary
Billy Ray Waters, aged 38, died from a gunshot wound to the head inflicted during a homicide. He was shot, bashed with a wooden baton, and stabbed multiple times by two assailants in a premeditated killing related to an illicit drug dispute. Both perpetrators pleaded guilty to murder and were sentenced to 26 years imprisonment with 15-year non-parole periods. This case does not involve clinical or medical error and presents no healthcare-related lessons for clinicians.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
MAGISTRATES COURT of TASMANIA
CORONIAL DIVISION Record of Investigation into Death (Without Inquest) Coroners Act 1995 Coroners Rules 2006 Rule 11 I, Simon Cooper, Coroner, having investigated the death of Billy Ray Waters Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that a) The identity of the deceased is Billy Ray Waters; b) Mr Waters died as a result of homicide at the hands of Jacob Michael Brennan and William Adair Rothwell; c) The cause of Mr Waters’ death was shotgun wound to the head; and d) Mr Waters died on 4 August 2019 at Mayfield, Launceston, Tasmania.
Jacob Michael Brennan and William Adair Rothwell both pleaded guilty to Mr Waters’ murder.
Both were sentenced to 26 years imprisonment, backdated to commence on 16 August 2019 (when they were arrested by police and taken into custody). A non-parole period of 15 years was fixed in relation to both. Another man, Christopher Leigh Brown, was convicted of being an accessory after the fact to murder and sentenced to six years imprisonment with a nonparole period of four years. His sentence was also backdated to the day he first went into custody.
The killing of Mr Waters by Brennan and Rothwell was premeditated. It related to a dispute about illicit drugs.
Before firing the final shot to the head which killed Mr Waters, Brennan and Rothwell shot him in the upper leg, repeatedly bashed him with a wooden baton, and stabbed him at least 18 times to his head, neck, and body.
The brutality of the crime was reflected in the sentence imposed upon both Brennan and Rothwell.
Comments and Recommendations The circumstances of Billy Ray Waters’ death are not such as to require me to make any comments or recommendations pursuant to Section 28 of the Coroners Act 1995.
I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr Waters.
Dated 24 January 2022 at Hobart in the State of Tasmania.
Simon Cooper
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