Shark shock over diver's death
Police were last night investigating whether a scuba diver who disappeared off Mandurah was killed by a shark after his body was found with big bite marks near where he vanished.
Michael "Mick" McGregor, 38, went missing on Saturday while diving for rock lobster with friends about 5km off Dawesville Cut but friends with him did not see a shark attack.
An extensive search failed to find him but police yesterday revealed water police divers had found human remains near the dive site.
Police said the diver's remains indicated he had been attacked by a shark but they were not yet able to tell whether he had been bitten before or after he died.
His sister and three others out on the ocean with him did not realise anything was wrong until he failed to resurface from his second dive. They raised the alarm about 1.30pm.
Mr McGregor's devastated girlfriend Elizabeth Cambage said last night that he had kissed her goodbye on Saturday morning and told her: "I'll be back at lunchtime."
"I couldn't ever pull him out of that water . . . he loved it," she said. "Scuba diving, fishing, boating, crabbing . . . he did whatever he could in the water."
Ms Cambage said everyone was shocked by his death and were unsure what had happened.
She said they were relieved police had found his body to give them some closure but they were still hoping for answers about how he died.
Mr McGregor, a father of two, had recently been working on a friend's fishing charter boat and as a concrete truck driver.
He spent several years in the navy as a radar systems plotter and was the youngest of five, with four elder sisters.
His wife Amber, who said they had remained close since their separation, yesterday described him as "one of the best men", who would be sadly missed by his family and friends.
"He was funny and down-to-earth - everybody loved him," she said.
She and Mr McGregor shared custody of their dog Dozer.
Police said his death would be examined by the WA Coroner but initial investigations indicated that he might have shark bites.
"The friends did not observe any attack and the cause of death is unclear at this stage," police said.
"Further investigation and consultation with relevant experts will be undertaken."
A friend believed to be out with Mr McGregor that day wrote on Facebook: "1 minute we out fishing having a great day on the water the next day it's a full blown tragedy."
Another posted a tribute: "A very sad day today - but a little news is better then the not knowing, gonna miss u brother, so many great memories and laughs shared with one of the best men I have ever met. My heart is still breaking at the thought of this, love ya mick."
