A missing West Australian man who was out prospecting in the state’s Wheatbelt likely wandered away from his car and became disoriented shortly before he is believed to have died, the state coroner has found.
Barry Podmore told his daughters in December 2024 he was interested in examining a quartz line near Karroun Hill Reserve on a day trip in the hope of finding gold.
They said it wasn’t unusual for Podmore to go prospecting by himself, and he left his home in Beacon on December 6, 2024, in his camouflaged vehicle.
Podmore’s daughters repeatedly attempted to make contact over the coming days but were unable to get through to his mobile.
The coroner said Podmore’s daughters initially surmised a power outage in Beacon was the reason they couldn’t get a hold of their dad, but they became extremely worried as the week went on with no contact.
They reported Podmore missing on December 11, and a large-scale search and rescue operation was carried out in the 3097 square kilometre reserve – the same nature reserve German backpacker Carolina Wilga would eventually be rescued from months later after going missing for two weeks.
Police told the inquest it had been difficult to initially track Podmore’s movements as he had not told anyone where he was specifically going, and he intended to “cover his tracks” if he found himself on a mining tenement.
Officers said there were ongoing concerns around Podmore’s health issues and used his mobile phone data and police air wing to try and locate a narrower search area. While they were able to narrow it down significantly, police said the area was still much too big to search with “boots on the ground”.
At the same time as the police operation, Podmore’s family conducted their own searches, and while Coroner Sarah Tyler said they were “diligent”, they were unable to find their beloved father.
The inquest heard it was only through the efforts of Missing Persons Australia tracker Rick Heaton authorities were able to eventually locate Podmore’s car, after he joined the search following his research on the case.
“Mr Heaton committed a significant amount of time, and effort, to the search for Barry, on a volunteer basis. When asked what led him to his volunteer work, Mr Heaton explained that he liked being out in the bush, and that ‘it’s a way to help people’,” the coroner said.
Heaton said he was able to find the car in May 2025, about five months after police carried out their first search operation. It was hidden from view parked behind some bushes, about 55 kilometres away from where officers have been looking.
The car appeared to have a punctured rear passenger tyre, but Tyler said it was not possible to say if Podmore knew it had been damaged. His mobile phone, a personal locator beacon and two metal detectors were also found in the car.
The inquest heard it was difficult to understand why Podmore had left the beacon behind, particularly after he had previously told one of his daughters’ about a prospecting trip where he had walked too far from his car without enough water, and had become lost along the Emu Proof Fence.
He said it had scared him, and he didn’t want to make the same mistake again. However, Tyler said Podmore could have been complacent over time and had simply forgotten to take the beacon with him.
There was never any sign of Podmore after his car was found despite further searches by WA police and further work by Heaton.
Heaton told the inquest he had since identified further areas to the west where he intended to search, in the hopes of continuing the search for Podmore.
Heaton also made a number of recommendations at the inquest for WA Police to consider while searching for missing people, but Coroner Tyler said she was satisfied police had appropriate processes and policies in place that already covered much of Heaton’s suggestions.
She praised his work as a volunteer.
“It is apparent that Mr Heaton has taken care to ensure his volunteer search is being carefully conducted in a way that is within his own skill set, and mindful of his own safety,” she said.
“Mr Heaton told the court that he searches for long term missing persons because he wants to help people. In this case, his efforts have brought some answers and hopefully some comfort to Barry’s family.
“I have no doubt that Mr Heaton’s tireless work in searching for Barry has helped Barry’s family and loved ones immeasurably, during an unthinkably difficult time for them all.”
Tyler ultimately determined Podmore was likely deceased, and made an open finding about his cause of death.
She offered her condolences to his family.
“I wish to again convey to Barry’s family and friends, on behalf of the court, my sincere condolences for their loss.”
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