A Tasmanian coroner has found that a 74-year-old Hobart man, whose boat washed up empty at Kingston Beach last year, died in the River Derwent.
Stephen O’Connell was last seen on CCTV on October 2, 2024, preparing to leave Prince of Wales Bay Marina in Derwent Park on his white Mariner cruiser ‘No Reply’.
A short time later, his vessel was found drifting off Kingston Beach with no one on board.
Despite extensive land, air and sea searches, O’Connell’s body was never recovered.
Coroner Simon Cooper, in his recently released findings, concluded that O’Connell died on October 2 in the River Derwent.
“I am quite satisfied that he is dead,” Cooper wrote.
The coroner found no suspicious circumstances, anomalies or inconsistencies linked to the disappearance or death.
Cooper noted that O’Connell had a long history of mental health challenges dating back to 1973 and had been under significant stress in late 2024.
“Mr O’Connell died as a result of actions undertaken by him alone, voluntarily and with the express intention of ending his own life,” the coroner found.
“I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr O’Connell.”
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