A NSW man missing for almost a year faked his suicide and has been working in the Whitsundays under a fake name, a coroner has found.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Matthew Shirvington's family has been pleading for help in locating the 28-year-old following his disappearance from his Cooma home in June last year.
His car was found abandoned near Moruya Airport with a suspected suicide note inside, sparking extensive searches by police on the far south coast.
His car was filled with empty beer and vodka bottles and a note saying "I'm sorry".
Deputy State Coroner Sharon Freund terminated an inquest on Monday after finding that Mr Shirvington was alive and well and working in a cafe at Airlie Beach in far north Queensland.
A former school friend spotted him in December and called out to him but Mr Shirvington ran off and never returned to the cafe.
Police confirmed with the cafe owner that Matthew was working there using the name Charlie Thompson. Mr Shirvington's family has made several pleas on Facebook for him to let someone know he is alive.
Police renewed a public appeal in December and asked for Mr Shirvington to make contact with them, stressing that he has not done anything wrong and does not have to disclose his location.
* Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by calling Lifeline 131 114, Mensline 1300 789 978, Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.
