Inquest into the Suspected Death of Simon Brian HARRINGTON
Inquest into the Suspected Death of Simon Brian HARRINGTON
Delivered on : 11 August 2025
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Coroner Hartley
Recommendations : N/A
Orders/Rules : N/A
Suppression Order : N/A
Summary : Simon Brian Harrington was 34 years old when he started a new on 10 January 2011. He returned home at about 10.30 am and told his father he was unable to cope and needed to attend the Alma Street Centre, where he was being treated for mental health issues, to get medication for his anxiety. Simon left home in his sister’s car.
Simon’s family quickly became concerned when they realised he had not taken his mobile phone or his dog Merc with him. Simon and Merc were inseparable and the last time he had left home without Merc he had attempted suicide. His family contacted police and then made a formal Missing Person Report at about 1.00 pm on 10 January 2011.
Police and Simon’s family leapt into action in a bid to locate him. After enquiries with Simon’s bank revealed that he had withdrawn cash at an ATM in Geraldton on the evening of 10 January 2011 the search was directed to that region. Significant police resources were deployed and a concerted public awareness campaign was undertaken. Simon’s family travelled to Geraldton to assist in the search for him but, at this time, no leads were forthcoming.
On 11 March 2011, after a tip off from the manager of a remote station, police located Simon’s sister’s car north of Butchers Track, approximately 8.2 kilometres east of the North West Coastal Highway. They found a torn-up envelope addressed to Simon which had a suicide note written on it in his handwriting.
A comprehensive Land Search and Rescue operation was conducted in the days following. During the search a rope noose was located attached to a tree approximately 200 metres from the vehicle. Despite ongoing efforts on the part of police and Simon’s family, no further investigative leads have emerged since that time.
As part of the police investigation, enquiries were made with a number of government agencies and financial institutions across Australia to see whether there was any record which would suggest that Simon is still alive, but they bore no fruit.
Simon’s family have accepted that he is no longer alive. The Coroner was satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that Simon is deceased. While Simon’s family and the Coroner suspect that Simon died by suicide, on the evidence before the Court it was not possible to reach a firm conclusion as to exactly how he died. An Open Finding was made as to the manner of death.
At the inquest, Simon’s devoted older sister raised some questions and concerns about her brother’s care during his time as a patient at the Alma Street Centre. These were put to the South Metropolitan Health Service who provided a detailed response.
Catch Words : Long Term Missing Person : Land, Air and Sea Search : Open Finding
Last updated: 26 September 2025