Inquest into the disappearance and suspected death of Ruben Gardiol

67y · Male·Unascertained

Ruben Pablo Gardiol, age 67, disappeared on 30 October 2020 from Kurnell, NSW and is presumed deceased. The coroner found he died on or about the date of disappearance, likely within days based on vehicle evidence and complete absence of financial/phone activity thereafter. Mr Gardiol had experienced multiple stressors: loss of his brother three years prior, resignation from his beloved gardening job, COVID-19 travel restrictions preventing visits to Uruguay, and deaths of two friends in the week before disappearance. The coroner found no clinical diagnosis of depression but noted possible undiagnosed depression given family history and life circumstances. Despite extensive land, air and sea searches of Kamay Botany Bay National Park near where his vehicle was abandoned, his body was never located. Police investigation was thorough with no systemic failures identified. The manner and cause of death remain unascertained.