Inquest into the Suspected Death of Monitake Starr KARAKAUA

29y · Male·drowning

Monitake Karakaua, age 29, died by drowning on 25 April 2025 after being swept from rocks at Salmon Holes, a notoriously dangerous fishing location south of Albany, Western Australia. While fishing with family and friends during Anzac Day, he was struck by a large wave and washed into rough ocean conditions. Although wearing a mandatory lifejacket, he was unable to inflate it despite attempts to do so—whether due to equipment failure or user error remains unclear. Witnesses observed him struggling in the water before strong currents carried him offshore, and he was last seen floating face down before disappearing. An extensive six-day search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies found no remains. Expert evidence established he most likely died at or shortly after he was last seen. The coroner emphasised that while lifejackets are mandatory and better than nothing, they can create false security, and the safest option is fishing from the beach rather than rocks.