Coronial
WAother

Inquest into the suspected death of Frederick Richard WINSLOW

Deceased

WINSLOW, FREDERICK RICHARD

Demographics

56y, male

Date of death

1974-12-01

Finding date

2026-02-13

Cause of death

Unascertained—likely injuries from motor vehicle crash, but may have resulted from natural causes (respiratory disease) or exposure

AI-generated summary

Frederick Richard Winslow, aged 56, a British immigrant, disappeared on 28 November 1974 while driving from Darwin to Wyndham, Western Australia. His crashed Holden station wagon was discovered at Golden Gate Cutting on the Duncan Highway on 1 December 1974, but Winslow was not found in or near the vehicle. Despite extensive searches including police, Aboriginal trackers, and aerial searches, no trace was ever found. Winslow had pulmonary tuberculosis and had undergone previous lung surgery. The coroner determined he died on or about 1 December 1974, likely from injuries sustained in the crash, though he may have died from natural causes given his respiratory issues or from exposure. Initial investigations considered possible foul play but found no substantiated evidence of third-party involvement. After 51 years, the cause and manner of death remain unascertained.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.

Contributing factors

  • Motor vehicle crash at Golden Gate Cutting
  • Serious injuries from impact (severe vehicle damage)
  • Pulmonary tuberculosis and respiratory disease
  • Recent lung collapse (13 November 1974)
  • Environmental exposure (hot, humid, harsh terrain)
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