Inquest into the disappearance and suspected death of David Mark Webber

47y · Male·unknown

David Mark Webber, aged 47, disappeared from Newcastle on 12 January 2013, the day after being arrested and charged with serious historical sexual offences. Despite 13 years of investigation including comprehensive checks of financial, medical, telephone and immigration records, no trace has been found and no body recovered. The coroner declared David deceased but could not determine the cause or manner. Police suspected self-inflicted death (possibly cliff fall), citing multiple stressors: criminal charges, depression, anxiety, financial crises and failed business ventures. Critically, David had insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes requiring daily medication—his entire medication supply remained at home. Without insulin access, he could not have survived long. The coroner acknowledged the ambiguity: death could have resulted from self-harm or naturally from untreated diabetes complications.