An inquest has begun into the death of a Tasmanian man who was found dead inside a burnt-out vehicle in bushland two weeks after firing at police.
Robert George Greig, 33, became the focus of a manhunt after he fired multiple shots at officers near New Norfolk on September 26, 2022.
On the night of the shooting, Greig reportedly went to the home of a woman who had a family violence order against him and struck her in the head.
According to evidence presented at the inquest, police were called and as they neared the house, they heard multiple gunshots.
A short time later, another officer encountered a 4WD with high beams and roof lights on.
The officer reported hearing five gunshots when the vehicle was about 50 metres away.
After the shooting, Greig evaded police for nearly two weeks while wanted for the attempted murder of three police officers.
However, the inquest revealed he did not stray far.
As reported by AAP, he had set up a campsite in bushland close to New Norfolk, where he was regularly picked up by his partner at 7:30pm and often stayed overnight at her home.
The manhunt came to an end on October 10, 2022, when a road worker spotted Greig’s 4WD on the Arthur Highway at Sorell, prompting a large-scale operation involving police and a helicopter.
The vehicle was tracked to bushland near Sorell, where it became engulfed in flames.
Greig’s body was discovered inside the burnt-out vehicle, along with gas cookers, gas cylinders, firearms and a handheld blowtorch.
Greig’s father, Gary, claimed that police had shot and killed his son and set fire to the vehicle to cover up evidence.
However, under cross-examination, Gary acknowledged there was no proof that officers had discharged their firearms.
Evidence presented to the court indicated Greig was not shot by police, but there was evidence of a single gunshot heard as the vehicle went up in flames.
The inquest is scheduled to run through to Thursday before Coroner Olivia McTaggart.
