Loved ones applaud as coroner refers death of Indigenous Canberra man Nathan Booth to homicide investigators

Australia Broadcast Center

30-04-2025

In short:
ACT Coroner Ken Archer has delivered his findings in the inquiry over the death of Canberra Indigenous man Nathan Booth
Mr Booth's body was discovered in the Murrumbidgee River in December 2019, six months after his mother had reported him missing
What's next?
The investigation into Mr Booth's death will be reviewed by ACT Policing homicide investigators, with the man's family welcoming the development
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name and image of a person who has died, used with the permission of their family.
ACT Policing homicide investigators will review the 2019 death of Canberra man Nathan Booth after a coronial inquest made no definitive findings about the circumstances in which he died.
Mr Booth's family packed the courtroom, and broke into applause after ACT Coroner Ken Archer delivered his findings and recommendations.
When Mr Archer began the inquiry last year, he led with an apology to the family over lengthy delays in the investigation into Mr Booth's death, saying the probe was "not satisfactorily advanced".
Mr Booth was found by two young fishers in the Murrumbidgee River near Pine Island in December 2019.
Family says alarm should've been raised
His mother had reported him missing in July that year after he had failed to show up for an important family event.
But there had already been an indication something was wrong when Mr Booth did not attend a methadone clinic where he had been careful to keep his regular appointments.
Because of privacy concerns, no-one at the clinic had said anything.
On Wednesday, Mr Booth's sister, Deanne Booth, said the fact that her brother had not shown up for his methadone appointment should have raised an alarm.
Nathan Booth was found dead near the Murrumbidgee River in June 2019
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"I think the biggest concern was that if someone on a high dose of methadone doesn't turn up to pick up his doses … because it's a voluntary program … they don't let anyone else know, and I said we wanted that changed,"
Ms Booth said.
His family had been concerned his death would be written-off as misadventure without a proper inquiry.
In his findings, Mr Archer said Mr Booth, who had broken his ankle, had died of hypothermia in the river.
He said it was likely he had entered the water where he was found, but there was no evidence of an assault, and no indication of why he was in such a remote area.
The coroner's report also delved into Mr Booth's descent into addiction.
Mr Archer stopped short of making any findings about any other circumstances.
He told the court the matter had been referred to the ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne, the ACT Chief Coroner Lorraine Walker and the AFP.
Mr Booth's sister asked the court if the case would be sent to the homicide team, with Mr Archer confirming police had agreed to conduct a review into her brother's death.
23 rumours distress loved ones
In his findings, Mr Archer noted the delays in investigations had caused the family more distress, particularly in the face of rumours that Mr Booth had been killed by a named or unnamed person.
"Those rumours were reported to his distressed family,"
Mr Archer said.
Nathan Booth's body was found by fishers in December 2019.
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ABC News: Toby Hunt
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The report notes a number of suggestions which were circulated, including allegations that he had stolen drugs from Asian people who were looking for him, that for an unknown reason bikies were after him, and that someone had "put a contract" out on his life.
Mr Archer said police had assessed each of the 23 separate rumours, interviewing people where possible.
Despite Wednesday's findings offering no definitive answer, Mr Booth's family have expressed relief that the case will get some more attention as homicide investigators conduct a review.
"Our family still stands united and our community still stands united that Nathan was murdered here in the ACT and nothing's been done about it,"
his sister said.
'Healing' pilot program
The coronial inquest had been run in an unusual format as it was part of a pilot program to more closely involve families in the process.
The pilot saw the inquest opened outside of court near where Mr Booth had died.
The family was also consulted throughout.
A 2024 coronial inquest into the death of Nathan Booth opened at Pine Island.
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ABC News: Elizabeth Byrne
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Mr Booth's mother, and the rest of his family, have endorsed the process, saying they hoped others would also benefit from being involved.
Perhaps the most ringing endorsement of the pilot was from Mr Booth's mother, Rayleen Booth.
"I would thank the coroner for his findings and for being there to support us all,"
she said.
"Families need an answer when something unexplained happens. For far too long this was left unexamined … and they were angry, as the coroner acknowledged," lawyer Jan De Bruyn said.
"But then the coroner made an effort to speak to them, giving them an opportunity to voice their concern and make them part of the process, and that paved the way for healing," Mr De Bruyn added.