Inquest into the Death of Mcmahon, Sarah Anne
Deceased
Mcmahon, Sarah Anne
Demographics
20y, female
Date of death
2000-11-08
Finding date
2013
Cause of death
Unlawful Homicide
AI-generated summary
This is a coronal finding into the suspected death of Sarah Anne McMahon, a 20-year-old who disappeared on 8 November 2000 and was never found. The coroner determined beyond reasonable doubt that she died on or about that date by unlawful homicide, though her body was never located. The investigation focused on Donald Morey, a middle-aged man with a criminal record, as a suspect. Evidence included mobile telephone records showing converging movements between McMahon and Morey around the time of her disappearance, Morey's suspicious lies about his movements and falsified work diary entries, witness testimony about concerning items in Morey's possession (rope, gaffer tape, knives, pornographic material depicting violence), and an account from Natasha Kendrick claiming to have seen McMahon's body, though Kendrick later recanted parts of her statement. No body was recovered. The coroner did not make specific findings about Morey's involvement due to credibility issues and complex evidence, citing limitations in coronal jurisdiction.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- Deceased had obtained amphetamines from suspect Morey and was reportedly frightened about this
- Suspect had expressed physical attraction to deceased which was not reciprocated
- Converging movements and telephone contact between deceased and suspect around time of disappearance
- Suspect made suspicious lies about his movements on day of disappearance
- Suspect falsified work diary entries to create false alibi
- Suspect possessed items suggesting potential for violence including rope, gaffer tape, knives, and violent pornographic material
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