Inquest into the Suspected Death of Lisa Joanne GOVAN
Inquest into the Suspected Death of Lisa Joanne Govan
Delivered on : 13 May 2025
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Coroner Jenkin
Recommendations : No
Orders/Rules : No
Suppression Order : N/A
Summary : Lisa Joanne Govan (Lisa) was 28-years of age when she was last seen at about 7.30 am on 8 October 1999 standing on Boulder Road, Kalgoorlie in front of the clubhouse compound of the Club Deroes Motorcycle Club (Club Deroes), an outlaw motorcycle with a chapter in Kalgoorlie. At the time, Lisa was in the company of Mr Andrew Edhouse (who was a member of Club Deroes), and Mr Trefor Atkinson (who was an associate of Club Deroes). Lisa has not been seen or heard from since.
Mr Timothy Hammel (who was Lisa’s partner at the relevant time) reported Lisa as missing to police on 8 October 1999. However, a police investigation was unable to determine Lisa’s whereabouts.
Since Lisa’s disappearance, Mr Edhouse has been arrested once, and Mr Atkinson has been arrested three times on suspicion of her murder. Mr Kevin Smith, was also arrested once on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact in relation to Lisa’s death. Mr Edhouse, Mr Atkinson, and Mr Smith were released on each occasion they were arrested, and no one has ever been charged with any offence in relation to Lisa’s disappearance.
After carefully considering the available evidence, the coroner was satisfied that it had been established, beyond all reasonable doubt, that Lisa died on or about 8 October 1999 in the vicinity of Kalgoorlie.
As Lisa’s body and/or remains have never been located, the coroner was obliged to find that the cause of Lisa’s death is unascertained. In the absence of any cogent evidence about Lisa’s movements after she was last seen, the coroner was unable to determine the manner of Lisa’s death, and made an open finding. The coroner noted that an open finding means that it is possible that Lisa’s death may have occurred by way of unlawful homicide, accident, or natural causes. The coroner also noted that on the basis of the available evidence, whilst none of these possibilities can be established, none can be excluded either.
Catch Words : Missing Person : Unascertained cause of death : Open finding
Last updated: 2 July 2025