Queensland Coroner rules Senior-Sergeant Mick Isles took his own life

THE State Coroner has "reluctantly" found that a police officer who disappeared three years ago took his own life.

THE State Coroner has "reluctantly" found that a police officer who disappeared three years ago took his own life.

The family of Senior-Sergeant Mick Isles, 58, had hoped for an open finding at the conclusion of the inquest in the Brisbane Coroner's Court yesterday after the police officer went missing in September 2009.

He failed to attend a training day before his vehicle was found in bushland five days later.

"Weighing all the factors, I reluctantly find that Michael Isles intentionally took his own life," Michael Barnes said.

"I sincerely regret the distress this will cause his family."

While Sen-Sgt Isles's body has not been found, Mr Barnes ruled the cause of death was gunshot wounds.

In 2008, the veteran police officer had been stood down from his position as officer in charge of Ayr Police Station over allegations of serious misconduct, but he was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing.

The court heard the experience affected his mental health and left him bitter at his treatment by the Queensland Police Service.

Mr Barnes said there was no evidence to support the suggestion of foul play and it was unlikely Sen-Sgt Isles would have gone for a bushwalk without telling his family.

He also said that the officer had previously told a therapist that if he were to kill himself, his body would not be found.

Outside court, Sen-Sgt Isles' son Steve was not surprised by the finding.

"Our family will consider reviewing the matter to the District Court," he said.

"I'm firmly of the view that he is deceased. How he got to that point, we may never know, but as far the coroner has found, certainly suicide at this point in time."

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