Zedric Basil WOOLLEY
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Photo: Zedric Woolley with the cap he was wearing when he
disappeared. (Tasmania Police)
Responsible jurisdiction:
Circumstances
Zedric Woolley of Franklin was last seen on 8 April 2012 in
Huonville, Tasmania. Zedric was aged 81 at the time. His vehicle, a
blue 2011 Hyundai hatch back was found on a bush track between
Lightwood Creek Road and Watsons Road on 14 April 2012. He is
described as 175 cm tall, of medium build with grey hair.
If you have information that may assist police to locate Zedric
please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
MAGISTRATES COURT of TASMANIA CORONIAL
DIVISION
Record of Investigation into Death (Without
Inquest)
Coroners Act 1995 Coroners Rules 2006 Rule
11
I, Simon Cooper, Coroner, having investigated the suspected death of Zedric
Basil Woolley Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that a)
The identity of the deceased is Zedric Basil Woolley; b) While satisfied Mr
Woolley is dead, I am unable to determine the circumstances of his death; c) I
am unable to determine the cause of Mr Woolley’s death; and d) Mr Woolley died
on or shortly after 7 April 2012 near Glen Huon in the Huon Valley region of
Tasmania, at a location I am unable to determine.
What a coroner does
1. The investigation of deaths in Tasmania is governed by the Coroners Act
1995 (the Act). Section 21(1) of the Act provides that “[a] coroner has
jurisdiction to investigate a death if it appears to the coroner that the death
is or may be a reportable death.”
2. ‘Death’ is defined in section 3 of the Act as including a suspected death.
‘Reportable death’ is defined in the same section as meaning, inter alia, a
death which occurred in Tasmania and was unexpected or the cause of which is
unknown.
3. Thus if a coroner suspects (on reasonable grounds) that a person has died
and the death meets the definition of a reportable death, then that coroner has
jurisdiction to investigate.
4. For reasons which will become apparent in this finding I am satisfied that
jurisdiction exists to investigate the disappearance of Zedric Basil Woolley.
5. Before an analysis of the circumstances surrounding Mr Woolley’s
disappearance and presumed death is undertaken it is important to say something
about the role of a coroner. A coroner in Tasmania has jurisdiction to
investigate any death which appears to have been unexpected or unnatural.
6. When investigating any death, whether or not an inquest is held, a coroner
performs a role very different to other judicial officers. The coroner’s role is
inquisitorial. She or he is required to thoroughly investigate a death and
answer the questions (if possible) that section 28 of the Act asks. These
questions include who the deceased was, the circumstances in which he or she
died, the cause of the person’s death and where and when the person died. This
process requires the making of various findings, but without apportioning legal
or moral blame for the death. 1 A coroner is required to make findings of fact
from which others may draw conclusions. 2 A coroner is also able, if she or he
thinks fit, to make comments about the death or, in appropriate circumstances,
recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future.
7. A coroner neither punishes nor awards compensation – that is for other
proceedings in other courts, if appropriate. Nor does a coroner charge people
with crimes or offences arising out of the death the subject of investigation.
In fact, a coroner in Tasmania may not even say that he or she thinks someone is
guilty of an offence.
8. The standard of proof in coronial inquests is the civil standard. This
means that where findings of fact are made a coroner needs to be satisfied on
the balance of probabilities as to the existence of those facts. However, if an
inquiry reaches a stage where findings being made may reflect adversely upon an
individual, it is well-settled that the standard applicable is that articulated
in Briginshaw v Briginshaw. 4 That case stands for the proposition that it is
particularly important to bear in mind the seriousness of any allegation and
that the task of deciding whether a serious allegation is proved should be
approached with great caution.
Background
9. Mr Woolley was born on 26 June 1930 in the Huon Valley where he was
raised, educated and lived his whole life. He worked in the apple industry,
forestry and the latter part of his working life in what was then known as the
Department of Main Roads.
10. Married to Pauline for over 50 years (until her death in 2009) Mr Woolley
was father to five adult children – David, Nerica, Louise, Lyndon and Hayden. He
and Pauline raised the children in the family home at Seventh Day Road, Glen
Huon before moving to a home in Grove.
11. The family lifestyle changed dramatically when Mrs Woolley was seriously
injured in a tractor accident on an apple orchard at which she was working. Mr
Woolley stopped paid work to become her full time carer.
12. After his wife’s death, approximately three years before his
disappearance, Mr Woolley remained living in the family home at Grove before
moving to a unit at Huon Eldercare, Franklin on 30 May 2011.
13. Described as a man of few words, Mr Woolley was, in the time leading up
to his disappearance, reportedly active and enjoyed a healthy social life. He
was in the habit of meeting family and friends in Huonville for lunch or coffee,
attending local games of Australian Rules football or taking drives in the
country. Mr Woolley was in regular contact with his children.
14. The evidence suggests he was a proficient driver. Like many people his
age he did not own a mobile phone and preferred cash to electronic banking.
15. Mr Woolley was nearly 82 years old when he went missing in 2012.
16. For his age, Mr Woolley was in reasonably good health. He suffered from
hypertension (high blood pressure) which was managed by medication. In addition,
he had been diagnosed as suffering from ischaemic heart disease and was required
to carry a GTN spray for use as and when needed. The evidence is that a failure
to use the spray when he experienced chest pain would potentially result in
heart failure and death. Circumstances of Mr Woolley’s disappearance
17. At about 8.30am on Saturday, 7 April 2012 Mr Woolley’s daughter, Nerica
Walker, telephoned her father and made arrangements for the pair to meet for
lunch. They met later in the day at Banjo’s Bakery in Huonville; somewhere they
often met. Nerica noticed nothing out of the ordinary or unusual about her
father. Mr Woolley told her of his plans to visit Agfest with his friend Mr
Osborne Cannell. 5 After spending an hour at lunch, Mr Woolley crossed the road
to a local clothing store where he bought himself a new pair of trousers and a
jumper.
18. Mr Woolley and Nerica parted company at approximately 1.30pm after
visiting the clothes shop. 6 Before they parted Nerica asked her father about
his plans for the next day. He indicated he was unsure. Nerica told him she
would call him at 8.30am the next day. Nerica was the last member of the Woolley
family to see Mr Woolley alive.
19. Later the same day, at about 4.45pm Ms Jolene Ford, who had known Mr
Woolley for over 30 years, and thus whose identification evidence I consider can
be relied upon, saw him on the footpath outside John’s Supermarket, Main Road
Huonville. 7 Ms Ford spoke to Mr Woolley and later told investigators he
appeared a little ‘vague’.
20. Not long after Ms Ford saw Mr Woolley in Huonville, Mr Neil Fletcher, a
resident of the Huon Valley who also had known Mr Woolley for many years, saw
him driving south on the Huon Highway towards Franklin.
21. At about midnight on the evening of 7-8 April, Mrs Delores Sutcliffe who
lived in the same building as Mr Woolley at Huon Eldercare Franklin, noticed Mr
Woolley’s car was not in its usual parking place. 9 Although considering the
absence of his car to be unusual, understandably Mrs Sutcliffe, unaware that Mr
Woolley was missing, thought little of the matter until spoken to as part of the
investigation into Mr Woolley’s disappearance.
22. Mr Woolley did not make any calls from his home telephone (and it will be
rememebered that he did not own or use a mobile device) on either 7 or 8 April
2012. A call was made to his home telephone by his daughter Nerica at 9.36am on
Saturday when father and daughter arranged to meet for lunch later that day.
23. Nerica rang her father’s landline at about 8.30am on Sunday 8 April but
the call was not answered. She tried again later that day, in the early evening
and, again, the telephone was not answered.
24. At about 7.30pm on Sunday 8 April Mr Woolley’s son Lyndon went to his
father’s home (to give him his Easter present) and found he was not there. 10
Considering this unusual Lyndon telephoned Nerica to see if their father was
with her. Nerica called her father’s landline at about 9.00pm. Again, it was not
answered. By now concerned for his safety, Nerica and Lyndon went to the unit at
9.30pm. Their father was not there. They rang friends and family to try to
locate Mr Woolley but had no success.
25. Early the following morning the fact of Mr Woolley’s disappearance was
formally reported to Police at the Huonville Police Station. Other sightings of
Mr Woolley
26. Mrs Mollie Richardson, a distant cousin of Mr Woolley, told investigators
that she thought she saw him at about 8.30am on Sunday 8 April 2012 “at the
Huonville side of the Huonville Bridge” talking with two females. Mrs Richardson
was a passenger in a car on the way to church. She said he was dressed in brown
and wearing a brown hat.
27. A further sighting of Mr Woolley was also thought to have been made by Ms
Ursula Simmons, a sales assistant at Banjo’s Huonville. Ms Simmons told
investigators that Mr Woolley came into “Banjo’s for a coffee and something to
eat on Sunday 8 April 2012 in the early afternoon”. Ms Simmons thought
this odd because he came in by himself when his daughter normally accompanied
him. She described him as wearing a bone colour jacket and cap.
28. Both witnesses appear to me to be potentially reliable. Mrs Richardson
was related to Mr Woolley and had known him all her life. Ms Simmons, although
not knowing Mr Woolley by name said that he went into Banjo’s regularly with his
daughter - something consistent with his daughter’s evidence. However, viewing
the evidence as a whole, it seems more likely than not that both women were
mistaken and both probably saw Mr Woolley on Saturday 7 April, rather than
Sunday 8 April. Even if both witnesses are correct it does not change my
ultimate findings.
The search for Mr Woolley
29. The search for Mr Woolley started when two police officers searched his
unit. His medication was found in a “Webster pack”. The medication had each day
clearly marked. His medication for Saturday, 7 April 2012 had been taken but the
rest of his medication for the following week remained in the packet. Nothing
else was found at the unit which gave any clue as to when Mr Woolley had
disappeared or where he had gone. Specifically, nothing in the nature of a
suicide note or similar was located. Police (and family) are unable to ascertain
whether Mr Woolley had his GTN spray with him when he disappeared.
30. Police commenced searching for Mr Woolley in the general Huon Valley
area. Initial searches were conducted at the surrounds of Huon Eldercare at
Franklin, his previous home at Mountain River and some other areas in the Huon
Valley area identified by family members as being important.
31. Police also posted a KALOF (“Keep A Look Out For”) message to all police,
submitted a missing person report, commenced to interview witnesses, issued a
media release, obtained a recent photo of Mr Woolley and conducted inquiries at
various Hobart hospitals. However, a significant difficulty initially
encountered by police was the fact that there was no obvious starting point for
the search. In tandem with the police search members of Mr Woolley’s immediate
and extended family searched areas where it was considered he may have
frequented.
32. As the information began to be circulated throughout local media about Mr
Woolley’s disappearance various members of the public contacted police with
information. This led to searches being conducted as far afield as New Norfolk
and the Great Lake and Bronte region in the Central Highlands. At the same time
searching continued in the Huon Valley area. Discovery of his car
33. On 14 April 2012 at about 12.40pm Mr Woolley’s daughter-in-law, Teeanna
Woolley, located Mr Woolley’s blue Hyundai I30 car on a bush track near the top
of Watsons Road, Glen Huon. She was with two other people at the time. She
said that the car was locked, the driver’s window slightly down and that it
appeared to be bogged in soft earth. She described seeing a shopping bag in the
front passenger seat, an empty bottle in the centre console and mud on the
inside of the door, the window, and the steering wheel on the floor pan. She
described a muddy handprint on the driver side rear bumper. There was no sign of
Mr Woolley. She took photographs of Mr Woolley’s car where it was found and
notified police.
34. Before police arrived, a number of members of the public and family
members attended the scene. One of them, Mr Peter Ford, later told investigators
he saw a set of footprints which he estimated to be a narrow size 8, leading
away from the vehicle. He also said that the footprints appeared to have been
made by someone who took short steps and appeared to rest frequently every 5
metres or so. Mr Ford followed the footprints which led down to a path and
circle back after approximately 1 km onto the gravel road that Mr Woolley’s car
had likely travelled down to where it was found.
35. No photographs of the footprints were taken, nor were the prints able to
be forensically examined. Whilst it is possible Mr Woolley made them, there is
no evidence that would enable a concluded view about the issue to be reached.
36. Mr Ford is reportedly a highly experienced bushman. He expressed the
opinion that the vehicle had been in the location for several days due to the
amount of sand and other material that had been washed up against it. I accept
that this was so.
37. Unfortunately, the presence of family and friends, although doubtless
very well intentioned, meant that evidence that may have been available to
trained investigators was obscured and/or destroyed. The first police to arrive
at the scene got there at about 2.25pm. Their observations were essentially
consistent with those of Teeanna Woolley. Initial observations of detectives at
the scene did not suggest there was anything suspicious about where Mr Woolley’s
vehicle was found. It was removed by tow truck from where it was found and taken
to the Huonville police station for forensic examination.
38. Viewing the evidence as a whole it would appear that Mr Woolley has
driven his car to where it was found. The subsequent examination of the vehicle
indicated no damage to it. It would seem that vehicle became stuck or bogged and
Mr Woolley has left it, after locking it and walked away. Where he walked to and
what became of him is however unfortunately almost impossible to determine.
39. In any event, formal searching commenced the next morning. Search parties
were briefed, allocated areas and dispatched throughout the day. The search
parties consisted of experienced and qualified police and SES personnel. No sign
of Mr Woolley was found. The search coordinator consulted Dr Paul Luckin, a
nationally recognised expert on issues of survivability in the context of search
and rescue operations. Dr Luckin’s advice was that in all of the circumstances
there was virtually no chance whatsoever that Mr Woolley could still be alive on
15 April 2012, assuming his disappearance was 7 or 8 days before.
40. Searching continued the next day but again without success. The scrub in
the area around where Mr Woolley’s car was located was very thick which hampered
search efforts. Search and rescue personnel were directed again to search tracks
and trails in the area with particular emphasis on bushland 3 to 5 metres either
side. A decision was made not to utilise a helicopter on 16 April due to the
density of the undergrowth that was being searched.
41. I am satisfied on the basis of the material forwarded to me that the
search was conducted appropriately. I am also satisfied that the decision to
suspend the search in the evening of 16 April 2012 was also appropriate. 15
Finally, I am also satisfied that Mr Woolley’s family were kept apprised of
developments.
Ongoing investigations
42. Mr Woolley’s car was forensically examined. Traces of what appeared to be
potting mix were found in the vehicle but it is difficult to determine what the
significance of this discovery is, if anything. I note that the evidence is that
Mr Woolley grew vegetables in garden beds near his unit which may account for
the presence of the potting mix in the vehicle. Nothing of any significance to
the investigation into his disappearance was found from that forensic
examination. In particular, there was no evidence of a struggle in the vehicle;
no evidence that the vehicle had been searched for property and no evidence that
more than one person had been in the vehicle when it was abandoned.
43. On 18 June 2013 members of the Tasmania Police Dive Squad conducted a
search of a small dam approximately 2 km from where Mr Woolley’s car was found.
The search appears to have been conducted as a result of information from a
psychic consulted by Mr Woolley’s family. The search did not yield any result. I
observe that it is unusual, indeed in my experience unprecedented, for Tasmania
police to conduct enquiries based on information received from psychics.
44. Members of Mr Woolley’s family continued to search for him for a long
time after the official search efforts were suspended.
45. The police investigation also continued long after the search was
suspended. Numerous potential witnesses were identified and interviewed. Mr
Woolley’s bank accounts were examined. His medical records were obtained and
interrogated. Telephone records were obtained and analysed. All the information
obtained as a result of the ongoing investigation has informed these findings.
Rumours of foul play
46. A number of completely unsubstantiated rumours of foul play surrounding
Mr Woolley’s disappearance have been reported to police and investigated at
various times since April 2012. In the context of this finding I do not consider
it necessary to address the various allegations other than to say that none has
a rational foundation and there is no evidence, at all, to substantiate any of
them.
Subsequent recent enquiries
47. The area where Mr Woolley’s vehicle was located, and logically from where
he went missing, was, during the summer of 2018/2019, severely impacted by
bushfire. The result of those fires in that area was to remove all undergrowth.
In light of this further searching for Mr Woolley’s remains were carried out in
early April 2019. Approximately 20 police officers carried out coordinated
searching of the area.
48. A number of bones were located and photographed in the general area. The
position of each was marked by GPS but they were otherwise left undisturbed. A
suitably qualified expert subsequently examined all photographs but none was
identified as being human. Nothing at all was found as a result of the April
2019 search which assisted in resolving the mystery of Mr Woolley’s
disappearance.
Conclusion
49. All the evidence supports the conclusion that Mr Woolley drove his own
vehicle, alone, to the place on the track where it was found, not far from Glen
Huon. It seems clear enough that after the vehicle became stuck on sticky, soft
ground Mr Woolley secured his vehicle and walked away from it.
50. Furthermore, the evidence satisfies me that Zedric Basil Woolley died on
or after 7 April 2012 at or near an area in the Huon Valley, probably near
Watson’s Road, Glen Huon in Tasmania.
51. However, beyond that I cannot reach a conclusion. There is insufficient
evidence to enable me to determine why Mr Woolley drove where he did. There is
no evidence to enable me to determine why Mr Woolley walked away from the car
nor where he went. Nor is there evidence that would enable me to make a finding
as to the cause or more specific circumstances of Mr Woolley’s death.
52. I express my thanks to the investigators involved in this matter in
particular Senior Sergeant Semmens and Senior Constable Turnbull.
53. I recommend that the file in relation to Mr Woolley’s disappearance
remain open.
54. In conclusion, I express my sincere condolences to Mr Woolley’s family on
their loss.
Dated 9 December 2019
at Hobart in Tasmania
Simon Cooper
Coroner
Renewed concern for missing person - Zedric
Woolley
Wednesday, 11 April 2012 - 3:51pm - Tasmania Police
Police have concerns for the welfare of Zedric Basil Woolley (81 years
old). He was last seen driving his 2011 blue Hyundai Reg No: C62FV on the
Plenty Link Road heading towards New Norfolk on Saturday 7th
April 2012.
Police have conducted searches by helicopter and 4WD of this area on
10th April 2012 without success.
The vehicle Zedric was driving, has black roof racks and cushions on
the rear parcel shelf.
Zedric has grey short hair that is thinning on the top and is believed
to be wearing a brown/rusty coloured jumper, grey trousers and a chequered
baseball cap.
Police search rivers for missing 81yo
Updated
April 13, 2012 09:17:40 - ABC
Police have been searching rivers and roads in Tasmania's
south as fears grow for the welfare of an elderly man missing since the weekend.
The family of Zedric Basil Woolley is appealing for information from the
public.
The 81-year-old widower has been missing since Saturday.
Family members say he was last seen by a friend outside a Huonville
supermarket about 4:30pm.
Police have now ruled out later sightings at a local bakery and in the
Derwent Valley.
An air and water search along the Huon River has failed to uncover any
sign of Mr Woolley or his car.
His children say the disappearance is totally out of character for their
routine-driven father.
They have asked people to report any sightings of Mr Woolley's bright blue
Hyundai hatchback which has roof racks, a pin-stripe and pillows and a toy dog
in the back window.
Family fears for lost dad
ZARA DAWTREY
| April 14, 2012 12.01am - The Mercury
POLICE are appealing for public assistance to find an
elderly Huon man, missing for a week.Zedric Basil
Woolley, 81, disappeared from his unit some time between last
Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
His family is now desperate, with son Lyndon Woolley telling
the Mercury he and his four siblings were "barely hanging in there"
as they helped police search for their much-loved father.
Mr Woolley was last seen by his daughter, who met him for
lunch at Banjos in Huonville at noon last Saturday.
Family members raised the alarm when they were unable to
contact him as planned on Sunday.
Police now hold grave fears for his wellbeing and say given
his good physical and mental health his disappearance is a baffling
mystery.
The police rescue helicopter has taken to the air twice, most
recently on Thursday, to try to spot the man's blue 2011 Hyundai i30
- registration C62FV - after a report it had been seen on the Plenty
link road heading towards New Norfolk last Saturday.
"Unfortunately there is still no sign of Mr Woolley or his
vehicle and we are obviously very concerned given the lapse in
time," officer leading the investigation, Acting Sergeant Tim
Etheridge, said yesterday.
"His family is extremely worried and we are appealing for
people to think hard as to whether they may have seen a gentleman
matching Mr Woolley's description, or seen his vehicle, and to
contact police with any information, no matter how insignificant it
may seem," Sgt Etheridge said.
Mr Woolley is believed to have been wearing a brown,
rusty-coloured jumper, grey trousers, and a checkered baseball cap.
"We are just hoping that someone remembers something, or may
have seen something that will help us find Dad," Lyndon Woolley
said.
Family vows to keep looking
ZARA DAWTREY
| April 16, 2012 12.01am - The Mercury
A MISSING Franklin man's desperate children say they will keep
searching dense bushland until they find him regardless of how long it may
take.
Zedric Woolley, 81, disappeared eight days ago after having lunch with
his daughter at the Huonville Banjo's bakery.
Family members located his vehicle off a deserted forestry track at
Glen Huon.
"We won't stop until we find him," Mr Woolley's son Lyndon said
yesterday as close to 50 people including police and State Emergency Service
members combed the surrounding bushland.
"It's very, very hard to lose someone in these circumstances," Acting
Sergeant Tim Etheridge said yesterday.
"If it was my father, I know how I'd feel we're doing everything we
can to find Mr Woolley for his family's sake."
The Huon resident was physically and mentally fit when he disappeared,
with family and police at a loss to explain why his vehicle was found bogged
at the end of a deserted bush track.
"The only possible explanation is that he was going for a drive on his
way back to Franklin. He liked to have a look at things and see what was
going on and his vehicle's become bogged and he's unsuccessfully tried to
walk his way out," Sgt Etheridge said.
Mr Woolley did not have a mobile phone, and his car and its contents
now at the Huonville police station have provided no clues as to his fate.
"We haven't stopped since we realised he was missing last Sunday,
after we found he hadn't taken his medication that day and there was no sign
of him," his son Lyndon said. "It's a nightmare and we're struggling to get
through this."
The family and police and a search and rescue helicopter were joined
by dozens of locals in the search in miserable conditions.
"You can never lose hope, but it's been eight days now and, given the
area and Mr Woolley's age, obviously our concerns for his wellbeing have
become extremely grave," Sgt Etheridge said.
Mr Woolley has grey, thinning hair, a slim build and was wearing a
checkered cap at the time of his disappearance. Any information should be
provided to police on 131 444.
Missing man's car found
Updated
April 16, 2012 09:17:44 - ABC
The car of an elderly man missing in Tasmania's south has
been found bogged in rough terrain near Glen Huon.
Tasmanian police said it was unlikely they would find Zedric Woolley, 81,
alive.
Mr Woolley was last seen in Huonville a week ago.
Acting Sergeant Tim Etheridge said 50 people and the rescue helicopter
were searching the area.
"The helicopter's been used to identify areas of interest and search
patterns will develop from that information," Sergeant Etheridge said.
"The way that I'm talking to the family at the moment and their
realisation is that we're likely to have moved into the recovery phase now."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Hopes fade for missing man
Updated
April 17, 2012 08:39:10 - ABC
A scaled down search for missing man Zedric Woolley will resume today but
police concede he is unlikely to be alive.
More than 30 people spent yesterday scouring walking tracks around the
Franklin area.
The 81-year-old's car was found bogged in rugged terrain at the weekend.
Police say they found footprints in dense bushland at Glen Huon they
believe belong to Mr Woolley.
Senior Constable Tim Etheridge says searchers do not have many more
options.
"Given that Mr Woolley came from the Franklin area we have pieced together
a likely series of tracks he may have been on which have been checked
previously, I might add."
"But we'll go through them again and see if we can locate anything of
interest once more," he said.
Senior Constable Tim Etheridge says it is unlikely Mr Woolley is still
alive.
"That's based upon a lot of information from research and the doctor that
we've consulted with a national authority in relation to search and rescue, and
so as a result of that we've indicated that we've now moved into a recovery
phase."
Police suspend search for missing man
Updated
April 18, 2012 10:23:49 - ABC
Tasmanian police have suspended a search for missing
southern Tasmanian man Zedric Woolley, pending a review by senior officers.
Last Saturday, the 81-year-old's car was found on a service road in the
Glen Huon area, south of Hobart, a week after he was reported missing.
Senior Constable Tim Etheridge says search teams have scoured an area
around Franklin and Glen Huon more than than once.
Police commissioners will decide the next move.
He says Mr Woolley's family is exhausted and concedes there is no chance
of finding him alive.
"As you can well imagine and they're looking for some sort of closure.
Mr Woolley's family is expected to return to the area today.