Sailor’s death caused by bullet: coroner

A coroner has described the death of a sailor off Busselton in 2012 as a “disturbing mystery”.

Perth coroner Barry Paul King released a report on his investigation into the death of Ian Shardlow in Geographe Bay last week following an inquest in the Perth Coroner’s Court in February.

Mr King said Mr Shardlow, whose body was never recovered, died from “unknown causes”.

Mr Shardlow was described as a fit 76-year-old and an experienced sailor from Australind.

On August 16, 2012 search and rescue crews found Mr Shardlow’s boat after he did not return home, but an extensive search failed to find him.

Police found blood on the boat which matched Mr Shardlow’s as well as a live .22 calibre cartridge and a spent .223 cartridge, but no firearm.

Police evidence at the inquest said the distribution of bloodstains and biological material was most likely caused by a bullet striking Mr Shardlow’s head.

Mr King said he was satisfied Mr Shardlow’s death was instantaneous from a gunshot wound to the head.

“The issue of how the death occurred is a disturbing mystery, ” Mr King said. “In short, there was no evidence indicating a reasonable basis for a motive for the deceased to end his life, and much evidence to the contrary.”

Mr King concluded by declaring an “open finding” on how Mr Shardlow died.