Inquest into the Death of Henrick OOSTERBAAN
Deceased
Henrick OOSTERBAAN
Demographics
64y, male
Date of death
2017-01-09
Finding date
2019-02-15
Cause of death
Unknown - coroner made no finding as to cause of death
AI-generated summary
A 64-year-old man disappeared in January 2017 after learning of a police investigation into historical child sexual abuse allegations. He left a note indicating his intention to end his life in a remote area near Menzies, Western Australia. Despite extensive searches of the harsh, remote environment with numerous mine shafts, his body was never found. The coroner established death beyond reasonable doubt based on his stated suicidal intent, lack of any contact or activity since disappearance, and the inhospitable terrain. The exact cause and manner of death could not be determined, though possibilities included exposure, toxin ingestion, or accidental fall into a mine shaft. No medical or clinical intervention failures were identified.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Contributing factors
- Police investigation into historical child sexual abuse allegations
- Shame and regret over inability to overcome harmful behaviours
- Remote, harsh environment near Menzies with numerous mine shafts
- Apparent suicidal intent as expressed in written note
Full text
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