Finding into death of John Christianos (AKA-Christie)

FORM 37 Rule 60(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008 Court reference: 3889/01

Inquest into the Death of JOHN CHRISTIANOS (AKA CHRISTIE )

Delivered On: 5th May 2011

Delivered At: Coroners Court of Victoria Level 11, 222 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000

Hearing Dates: 5th May 2011

Findings of: Coroner K. M. W. PARKINSON Place of death/

Suspected death: Unascertained

PCSU: Leading Senior Constable King Taylor

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FORM 37 Rule 60(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008 Court reference: 3889/01 In the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne J, KIM PARKINSON, Coroner having investigated the death of:

Details of deceased: Surname: CHRISTIANOS (AKA CHRISTIE ) Firstname: JOHN Address: Gaynor Lodge, 743 Warrigal Road, Bentleigh East, Victoria 3165

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 5th May 2011 at Melbourne

find that the identity of the deceased was JOHN CHRISTIANOS (AKA CHRISTIE ) and death occurred on or about 11th June 2001

at and unknown location

from unascertained cause

In the following circumstances:

1. This is my finding in the inquest into the presumed death of Mr John Christianos, date of birth 1 September 1961, who disappeared on 11 June 2001. My decision in this matter was delivered in transcript on 5 May 2011 and this written finding has been settled from the transcript. An extensive brief of evidence has been provided to the coroner in this matter, with extensive investigations being undertaken by Victoria Police both in Victoria and interstate and enquiries in relation to the whereabouts of Mr Christianos, who has not been sighted since his disappearance on 11 June 2001.

2. Mr Christianos was usually employed as a graphic artist. He was born in South Australia and was the eldest of three children. Mr Christianos was psychologically fragile and reported to police and ambulance officers, shortly prior to his disappearance, that he suffered bi-polar manic disorder. He had some significant history of police contact and criminal history for drug offences and an alleged history of violence. He was a troubled man and had not infrequent contact with police. At the time of his disappearance, he resided at Gaynor Lodge, at Warrigal Road, Bentleigh East, Victoria.

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3. Whilst resident at Gaynor Lodge, he was involved in a number of altercations with other residents. He had a number of attempts of self-harm, including an inpatient involuntary admission to a psychiatric facility on 17 November 2000, and another self-harm attempt, in which police and ambulance officers intervened on 1 June 2001.

4. On 11 June 2001, he was reported by witnesses to have left Gaynor Lodge, and has not been seen by any person including friends, relatives or associates since that date,

5. The evidence establishes that there has been no activity on any bank account, Centrelink account, telephone records, motor vehicle or other registration records held by Mr Christianos.

There have been no mental health admissions in relation to Mr Christianos and no activity in relation to health records, including no Medicare or health commissioner activity in the period since 11 June 2001. There has been no further police contact since that time.

6. Personal items owned by Mr Christianos, including a motorcycle and a motor vehicle,

have never been collected.

7, Having considered the available evidence in this matter, I am satisfied that Mr John Christianos, born 1 September 1961, is presumed to have died on or after 11 June 2001. The cause of death, the location of death and the circumstances of the death are unable to be ascertained. That is my finding in relation to this matter.

Signature:

Kim M W Parkinson Coroner

5th May, 2011

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