Matthew Leveson inquest: Lies told by boyfriend Michael Atkins but no cause of death found, coroner rules
ABC News
BY NICOLE CHETTLE AND CLARE BLUMER
UPDATED 33 MINUTES AGO (as at 12:53 AEDT 5 December 2017)
The coroner has delivered an open finding at the inquest into the death of Matthew Leveson, who disappeared a decade ago and whose body was found in the Royal National Park.
"I regret that my findings cannot meet the family's hopes and expectations," deputy state coroner Elaine Truscott.
"I do not accept Mr Atkins is a person of truth.
"Throughout his sworn evidence before the inquest Mr Atkins has maintained a plethora of lies."
The findings included 72 references to lies.
However, the coroner said there was insufficient evidence to "positively determine to the requisite standard how or why Matt died".
The coroner praised the family for taking the painful decision to provide Mr Atkins with legal indemnity.
"For them it must have been a hideous decision because from their perspective, they would like Mr Atkins to be punished even if 'only' for perjury," she said.
Magistrate Truscott said Mr Atkins said was not a truthful person.
"Ultimately, the lies that Mr Atkins told during the course of his evidence to the inquest, as with other lies he had told to a range of people, including the police, since Matt's disappearance, give rise to a considerable degree of suspicion that Mr Atkins had some connection with Matt's death apart from the fact he buried Matt's body," she said.
"However, it does not follow ... from that degree of suspicion that I can find that Mr Atkins was involved in any acts which were causative to Matt's death."
Magistrate Truscott said Mr Leveson's remains were found more than nine years after he died and there was damage to the body "likely caused during the earlier and later excavations".
There was no "identifiable physical injury" nor was there any evidence that Mr Leveson died of a drug overdose, therefore she could not make findings on the cause or manner of his death.
The coroner said there was not enough evidence to support the precise location of Mr Leveson's death, but found he died in the city of Sydney.
Magistrate Truscott said the Leveson family should receive an official commendation for their work helping the police investigation.
Read more at:
http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...inquest-coroner-delivers-open-finding/9226512
