Finding into death of Frederick Goggin

Court References: 3530/1996 and 3325, 3566, 3659 of 2004, 2139 of 2006

FORM 37 Rule 60(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

In the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne

I Kim M. W. Parkinson Coroner having investigated the death of:

Details of deceased: Surname: GOGGIN.

First name: FREDERICK

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 17 February 2010 at Melbourne

find that the identity of the deceased was Frederick Goggin and that the death occurred on or after 29 May 1993 at an unknown location;

from: >

la. UNASCERTAINED CAUSE (LIKELY HOMICIDE)

FINDING

Pursuant to s77 of the Coroner’s Act 2008, I have reopened Case Number 3530/1996 where a finding was made by Coroner Heffey as to the presumptive death of Mr Frederick Goggin. Her Honour’s reasons for finding and the facts relied upon are set out in the finding dated 18 April 1997. Her Honour concluded that Mr Goggin died at a

place unknown and from causes unknown,

At the time of that finding no remains had been located. Remains, which have now been identified as those of Mr Goggin, were located in 2004 and 2006 at the Grampians National Park near Halls Gap, Victoria. The remains were located by bushwalkers and also by police and forensic examiners upon notification of the original location.

Application was made by Victoria Police homicide detective Senior Constable David

Rae to re-open the original inquest finding.

I have also heard summaries in relation to each of 3325, 3566 and 3659 of 2004 cases, each of which relates to the remains located at the Grampians National Park, near Halls Gap, Victoria in 2004 and 2006.

I am satisfied that the remains which are the subject of DNA identification in cases 3325/04, 3566/04 and 3659/04 certified by Scientist Dr Dadna Hartnett are those of Mr Frederick Goggin.

The further remains located in 2006 in case number 2139/06 are also the remains of Mr Goggin. I make this finding on the basis of the circumstances of the location of the remains, their proximity to the site of the other remains, although there was no DNA

result available for those remains.

All remains have been reconciled and éach of the above cases is related.

Homicide squad investigation is ongoing in relation to the death of Mr Goggin and a number of people who were interviewed upon his disappearance have been reinterviewed by police. The brief of evidence prepared by homicide police is exhibit 1 in this proceeding. There were some discrepancies noted in relation to statements made by persons who were described by police as ‘persons of interest’ in relation to the disappearance of Mr Goggin and also his death, however insufficient to enable charges

to be brought against any person.

A reward of $100,000 has been posted for information in relation to his death. Police

have identified persons of interest in their inquiry into the death.

Police are treating the death as a presumed homicide. On balance, I am satisfied having regard to the evidence before me including the statements as to Mr Goggin’s last known whereabouts and interactions, employment circumstances that his death is likely

homicide.

Mr Goggin was not known to be depressed or suffering with any mental illness, which may have pre-disposed him to take his own life. He had no history of absenting himself for long periods of time without notifying loved ones. He had no connections social or

otherwise with the Grampians National Park and no reason to have been at that location..

The Pathologist and Forensic Scientist report fracture to Mr Goggin’s skull having occurred shortly before or at death. This evidence also satisfies me that death was likely

as a result of the intervention of another person or persons and likely homicide.

Although the-death is suspicious, there is insufficient evidence upon which to base a a

finding as to the actual mechanical cause of death, the location of death or with any

’ certainty the circumstances of the death. Further information may become available to

detectives in the future.

13. I have previously adjourned this matter in the hope that further information may become available having regard to the substantial reward offered. At this stage there are no further developments in the investigation and it is appropriate to proceed to a formal

finding.

14, I find that the remains in cases 3325, 3566 and 3659 of 2004 and 2139 of 2006 are the remains of Mr Frederick Goggin. The inquest finding in 3530 of 1996 stands other than that I find having regard to all of the circumstances, his death was likely homicide. The

cause or mechanism of death is however unable to be ascertained.

Kim M. W, Parkinson Coroner

1° February 2011