Finding into death of Clarence Sharrock

IN THE CORONERS COURT OF VICTORIA AT MELBOURNE

Court Reference: 2013 / 2489

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Form 37 Rule 60(1) Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Inquest into the Death of: CLARENCE SHARROCK

Delivered On: 16 December 2013

Delivered At: Melbourne Coroners Court 222 Exhibition Street Melbourne

Hearing Dates: 16 December 2013 Findings of: IAIN WEST, DEPUTY STATE CORONER Representation: No Appearance

Police Coronial Support Unit Sergeant Greig McFarlene

I, IAIN WEST, Deputy State Coroner having investigated the death of Clarence Sharrock

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 16 December 2013 at Coroners Court, 222 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

find that the identity of the deceased was Clarence Sharrock

born on 10 January 1916

and the death occurred on an unknown date

at an unknown place

from: 1 (a) Unknown cause

in the following circumstances:

1. On the 2 August 1978, Clarence Sharrock, formally of 191 Union Street, Brunswick, was reported missing to the Stawell Police Station by a concerned friend, Mr Roy Trimble. His vehicle was located outside the Belbra Nursery at Halls Gap with a note to call his girlfriend if he did not return by 31 August. A two day police search of the area failed to locate Mr Sharrock.

2. Family and friends believe Mr Sharrock may have stagged his disappearance in order to start a new life, as he was unemployed and in financial difficulties. In support of this possibility, police investigators were told of one past occasion when he did not make contact with his family for 16 years. During his life, Mr Sharrock used several names including Rex Sutherland, Harold Sharrock, and Ronald Sutherland. He resided between the Brunswick address and the Caraville Caravan Park, Fawkner. He was described by those who knew him as totally unreliable and full of grandiose ideas.

3. Mr Sharrock’s missing person’s file was reviewed in 2011 with a number of checks being conducted with varies agencies, including Centrelink, Medicare and Births, Deaths and Marriges. These investigations failed to assist in determining whether Mr Sharrock is still alive. In addition, his daughter and son have had no contact with him since his disappearance.

4, Iam satisfied Clarence Sharrock is deceased for the reasons that there has been no contact made with him since his disappearance thirty five years ago and that if he were alive, he would be close to 98 years of age. The material before me does not permit a finding, however, as to when, where or how Mr Sharrock died.

I direct that a copy of this finding be provided to the following: Family of Mr Clarence Sharrock D/S/C Joseph Horvat

Signature:

IAIN WEST DEPUTY STATE CORONER Date: 16 December 2013

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