'Altercation of a violent nature': Coroner blames Rachel Antonio's death on 'secret lover'
A Coroner has blamed Rachel Antonio’s disappearance on her allegedly secret lover, 18 years after the north Queensland teenager's disappearance.
On Thursday it was found former lifesaving captain Robert Hytch was involved in an allegedly violent altercation with Rachel, who was 16 at the time.
It was claimed Rachel was killed during the alleged altercation and Hytch then hid her body.
On Thursday night, Ian Antonio said he was going to finally “try and get some sleep”.
Speaking with the Courier Mail, Mr Antonio said his battle for answers was over.
“The only thing I ever wanted through the whole thing was for people to know that Robert Hytch killed my daughter,” he said.
Coroner David O’Connell delivered the findings in a Bowen court on Thursday, more than a year on from the conclusion of the inquest, which heard from 60 witnesses.
The prosecution will now consider a perjury charge against Hytch following his denial over being in a relationship with Rachel.
Hytch could be recharged with murder if there is new and compelling evidence.
Rachel vanished without a trace after she was dropped off at a Bowen movie theatre on Anzac Day 1998.
The inquest findings were considered worth the wait for Rachel’s family.
“We’ve been marking off a calendar for 18 years. (But) I’m going to burn my suit tonight. I’m going to burn it and I’ll never have to wear it again,” her father told Courier Mail.
It was found Rachel had a relationship with Hytch, who was close to ten years older than her.
The coroner found Hytch’s statements about the pair’s relationship had been “deliberately false”.
“I am satisfied, indeed persuaded beyond any doubt whatsoever on the evidence, that there existed an intimate, personal relationship of boyfriend and girlfriend,” Mr O’Connell said.
It’s believed Rachel faked a pregnancy to get revenge on Hytch during a break up, an act which was considered to have sparked the altercation.
The Coroner found the pair had met on the night of her disappearance and that “Mr Hytch has caused a fatal injury to Rachel and thereby caused her death.
"Rachel died at the hands of Robert Hytch."
Despite this her body has never been found.
Droplets of blood were discovered on Hytch’s sandals, which indicated an “altercation of a violent nature” had happened that night.
Hytch claimed the shoes were his brother’s, in an attempt to fend off suspicion.
Mr O’Connell said he was unable to determine how Hytch had disposed of Rachel’s body.
“Whether he has then dug a shallow grave somewhere ... I am unable to determine, but there is also the possibility he swum her body out in the ocean.”
The next morning, about 7.30am a neighbour spotted Hytch returning home with no shirt or shoes.
Rachel’s father hoped the prosecution would charge Hytch.
“They should. If the law works properly they should pursue it,” he said.
Hytch’s solicitor was reportedly considering a Supreme Court appeal against the findings.
