Brisbane Federal Circuit Court Judge Guy Andrew found dead after going missing on Saturday
Four days of frantic and intensive searching has ended on a tragic note with the discovery of the body of a Brisbane Federal Circuit Court Judge in a Brisbane national park, not far from where his abandoned car was found.
QLD News
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The body of missing Federal Circuit Court Judge Guy Andrew has been found in Brisbane’s D’Aguilar National Park, five days after he went missing.
His body was found late on Thursday afternoon, only a few kilometres from where his abadoned car was discovered on Sunday.
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Police have confirmed Judge Andrew was found on the southern side of Link Track, which begins roughly 3km from the street where Mr Andrew’s Toyota HiLux was located in at The Gap about 2pm on Sunday.
Primarily used for hiking, Link Track is a 9.3km loop near Upper Kedron in the Enoggera Reservoir.
Further investigations will take place with cause of death yet to be confirmed.
Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and Chief Justice of the Family Court Will Alstergren offered his condolences to Judge Andrew’s family and said his death was a reminder of the “extraordinary pressure” on those who worked in family law.
“His Honour will be remembered as a fine, highly respected barrister and a diligent and determined judge who lived a life of service to others and to the law,” he said.
“He was loved and admired by many during his long career at the Bar and he made many good friendships in his short time on the Bench.
“The esteem in which he was held was evident by the large number of judges, barristers, solicitors, associates and other Court staff who took an active part in the search for him.”
The Chief Justice said Judge Andrew is survived by his wife Nicole and daughters Bridget and Morgan.
“His tragic passing is a timely reminder of the extraordinary pressure on all who practice in the often highly emotive family law jurisdiction,” he said.
“This pressure can be exacerbated by appointment.
“Whilst His Honour’s transition to the Bench presented saw some initial, unforeseen challenges, Guy, with the support and encouragement so freely offered by his colleagues was navigating his way through these challenges with all the determination that marked all that he did and especially marked what he did in the service of others.”
He said Judge Andrew will be “dearly missed”.
“All our love and prayers go out to Nicole, Bridget and Morgan during this terrible time,” he said.
The Law Council of Australia has also expressed its “deep sadness” over the death of Judge Andrew.
Law Council President Pauline Wright extended her “sincere condolences” to Judge Andrew’s family, friends and colleagues.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with them at this difficult time,” she said.
“The Federal Circuit Court is one of the busiest courts in Australia. Its Judges undertake important and enormous workloads to serve the Australian community and the administration of justice in a difficult environment.”
Ms Wright said Judge Andrew was appointed as Townsville’s only full-time Federal Circuit Court judge after an impressive career which included extensive practice with Legal Aid Queensland, then at the private Bar in crime and family law.
“The Judge’s appointment was welcomed at the time by the local community and the legal profession, who held Judge Andrew in high regard,” she said.
“Vale Judge Andrew.”
Australian Lawyers Alliance spokesman Greg Barns SC said “Judge Andrew’s death is another reminder that we still have a long way to go in the legal profession when it comes comprehensively dealing with mental illness among lawyers”.
“There has been some improvement and greater awareness in recent years but we need to recognise the rates of mental illness among lawyers are far too high,” he said.
“Mental health and support for mental illness have to become front and centre for all lawyers. This is a very stressful occupation and reaching out for support is still far too uncommon.”
Judge Andrew left his home on Sunday, October 4, at around 3am and wasn’t seen again.
The army, friends and family, police dive squads, water police, park rangers and special emergency response teams all joined in the search on Thursday.
Superintendent Christopher Stream had earlier said the terrain had been ‘extremely difficult’ to cover.
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Police wish to thank everyone involved in the search including Australian Defence Force, State Emergency Services, Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre and the community.