Coroner's Finding: Jupp, Dean Anthony

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 Dean Anthony Jupp Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that a) The identity of the deceased is Dean Anthony Jupp; b) Mr Jupp died when he was the victim of an aggravated armed robbery at his premises; c) The cause of Mr Jupp’s death was blunt force head and chest injuries; and d) Mr Jupp died, aged 59 years, on 23 January 2022 at Chilcott’s Road, Sprent, Tasmania.

In making the above findings I have had regard to the evidence gained in the investigation into Mr Jupp’s death. The evidence includes:

• Police Report of Death for the Coroner;

• Affidavits confirming identity;

• Report – Dr Christopher Lawrence, Forensic Pathologist;

• Forensic Science Service Tasmania – DNA Coronial Identification report;

• Forensic Science Service Tasmania – Toxicology report;

• Medical Records; and

• Comments on passing sentence – Jago J, 16 April 2025.

Mr Jupp, who lived alone at an isolated property on the North West Coast of Tasmania, died as a result of extensive traumatic injuries sustained to his head and chest. Some of the injuries were patterned and had relatively sharp edges but all were due to blunt force injury.

Four people – Blaise Baddeley, Dane Pyke, Mitchell Flanigan and Nikiya Coleman – were apprehended by police and charged with crimes (including murder) relating to Mr Jupp’s death. All were involved in a plan to steal firearms from Mr Jupp. During the raid, Mr Jupp was attacked, bashed, tied up and dragged for a considerable distance across the ground. He

was left bleeding, alone and in pain near an animal shelter on the property where his body was found later by firefighters.

Before leaving the property Pyke set fire to the Mr Jupp’s vehicle (his only means of escape from the property) and his mobile phone (his only means of summoning assistance) was stolen.

Neither Baddeley, Pyke, Flanigan nor Coleman were convicted of murder, although all were convicted of other crimes relating to what occurred at Mr Jupp’s property on 23 January 2022.

Section 25(4) of the Coroners Act 1995 prevents me from making any finding which is inconsistent with the determination of any criminal charges arising out of the circumstances of the death. Obedient to that provision, I make no further finding about the circumstances of Mr Jupp’s death.

Comments and Recommendations The circumstances of Mr Jupp’s 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 Jupp.

Dated: 11 July 2025 at Hobart, in the State of Tasmania.

Simon Cooper Coroner