Inquest into the Suspected Death of Barry John PODMORE
Delivered on: 19 February 2026
Delivered at: Perth
Finding of: Coroner Tyler
Recommendations: No
Orders/Rules: No
Suppression Order: N/A
Summary:
Barry John Podmore (Barry) went missing on 6 December 2024. He was 73 years old. Barry last spoke with his daughter on the phone on 5 December 2024 and told her he was planning to go gold prospecting the following day. He was planning a short day trip, intending to return home in the afternoon of 6 December 2024. Barry did not tell anyone exactly where he was planning to go prospecting, but he would often prospect in remote bushland around Karroun Hill Nature Reserve and Mount Jackson.
Barry’s daughter attempted to call her father multiple times over the following days, without success. Other family members were also unable to reach Barry. On 11 December 2024, the family arranged for a friend to go to Barry’s home to check on him, in which they discovered that Barry and his car were not there. As a result, Barry’s family were seriously concerned for his welfare, and his daughter reported her father as a missing person on 11 December 2024.
Police immediately commenced an investigation into Barry’s disappearance. Extensive efforts were made to try to narrow down the area in which Barry could have gone prospecting. Investigations, including triangulation of Barry’s phone, identified a possible search area, however extensive search efforts failed to find any sign of Barry.
On 25 May 2025, a volunteer searcher from the organisation Missing Persons Australia, located Barry’s vehicle after an extensive search. Following the discovery of Barry’s car, the volunteer searcher commenced a foot search over many days in search of Barry, notifying Police of anything of significance he found. As a result of the car being located, Western Australia Police Force commenced a Land Search and Rescue operation around the area, deploying significant resources in an attempt to locate Barry, without success.
Despite an extensive search by his loved ones, Western Australia Police Force, and the intensive efforts of the volunteer searcher, Barry has never been found. Barry has not made any confirmed contact with any of his family, friends, or associates from the time of his disappearance. A recent review by the Western Australia Police Force, including proof of life checks, has found no evidence that Barry is alive.
The Coroner was satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that Barry John Podmore is deceased and that he died soon after the time of his disappearance. The Coroner was unable to determine how Barry died and made an Open Finding as to the manner of Barry’s death.
Catch Words: Missing Person : Open Finding
Last updated: 1 April 2026