Inquest into the Suspected Death of Steven Jeffrey PAYNE
Inquest into the Suspected Death of Steven Jeffrey PAYNE
Delivered on : 25 July 2025
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Acting State Coroner Linton
Recommendations : N/A
Orders/Rules : N/A
Suppression Order : N/A
Summary : Steven Jeffrey Payne (Mr Payne) was last seen alive on 10 March 2025 while surfing at Wharton Beach in Esperance. While sitting on his surfboard in the water, he was witnessed being attacked by a large shark. It was apparent he was immediately fatally injured and, after a short period of time, he was seen to be lifeless in the water. The shark then attacked again and took Mr Payne’s body beneath the surface of the water.
Police were notified and a marine and land search was conducted that day and over the following two days. Mr Payne’s damaged surfboard was recovered soon after the attack and torn pieces of Mr Payne’s wetsuit and his surfboard, as well as the surf hat he was wearing at the time he was attacked, were found on the shore during the search. However, no sign of Mr Payne’s body was located.
On the basis of a report prepared by police, the Acting State Coroner made a direction under s 23 of the Coroners Act 1996 that Mr Payne’s suspected death should be investigated at an inquest. The inquest was held on 8 July 2025. Sergeant Harriet Collins (Sgt Collins) from Esperance Police Station gave evidence that a number of witnesses, including Mr Payne’s partner, witnessed the shark attack and the aftermath of the attack was captured by a number of witnesses on their mobile phones and with the use of drones.
Sgt Collins indicated that Mr Payne’s partner and family accept that he died at the time he was attacked by the shark and understood why his body had not been able to be recovered.
Mr Payne’s surfboard was submitted for testing and scientists determined that the damage to the board had been inflicted by a great white shark of approximately 3.2 to 3.5 metres length. This was consistent with the objective evidence of the footage of the shark attack on Mr Payne.
The Acting State Coroner was satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt Mr Payne is deceased and he died in relative proximity to the time of his disappearance. The Acting State Coroner found Mr Payne died as a result of multiple injuries and his death occurred by way of Accident.
Catch Words : Shark Attack : Esperance : Accident
Last updated: 14 August 2025