Family of Andy Williams still waiting for coroner to confirm he is dead, four years on

A heartbroken family who believe their son took his life have been left still waiting for a coroner to officially confirm he is dead — four years after he went missing.

A family is still waiting for a coroner to officially confirm their son is dead, four years after he went missing and despite a DNA test concluding a bone discovered near a Sydney beach belongs to him.

Mum Julie Williams believes her youngest boy Andy, 29, took his life, after his car was found abandoned on a headland on Sydney’s northern beaches in August 2019.

A single femur bone was found seven months later.

But a drawn out coronial process means there’s no death certificate, leaving the family in limbo.

Julie and Graham Williams believe their son died by suicide. Picture: David Rowland

They’re pushing for an inquest as they have questions they want answered about missed opportunities they say could have saved Andy’s life.

A spokesman for the NSW Coroners Court said several issues have emerged which need investigation and an “inquest date has been tentatively set down in early 2024, dependent on the result of ongoing investigations”.

“It’s been a painfully slow process,” Ms Williams said.

“A five year wait for answers is cruel on top of everything else.”

Andy’s car was found abandoned on a headland on Sydney’s northern beaches in August 2019.

In a painful twist for the family, Andy continues to be classified as a missing person by Australian police and his personal belongings cannot be released until the coroner has made a ruling.

In the meantime, his mum Julie and dad Graham keep his remains close to them in a small wooden casket in their home in Auckland, New Zealand, where they have since moved to be closer to their two other sons.

The day their lives were shattered forever was Sunday, August 4, 2019, when Ms Williams, who was living with her husband in Brisbane at the time, received a call from police informing her Andy’s car had been found at Mona Vale and there were grave concerns for his safety.

Julie and Graham are pushing for an inquest as they have questions they want answered about missed opportunities that could have saved Andy’s life.

Unbeknown them, Andy had been couchsurfing. He was also sick with the flu and slept in his car a couple of days before he went missing.

On that night, he was woken by a police officer tapping on the window. A search of his car found a small amount of marijuana and Andy was issued with a summons to attend court.

“This was a vulnerable young man,” Ms Williams said. “It was disastrous. He told friends he thought he would go to jail.”

The next day the family said Andy took an overdose and was taken to Northern Beaches Hospital before being released on August 2. His car was found abandoned later that day.

Andy on the day he went missing was not well, but he didn’t tell his mum he had taken an overdose.

“The hospital staff called a taxi and sent him away,” Ms Williams said.

She said she spoke to Andy on the day he went missing and he was not well, but he did not tell her he had taken an overdose.

“The last thing he said was, ‘I really love you mum’”, Ms Williams said.

“I now think he was saying goodbye.”

Andy’s mum claims the hospital should not have released him in that vulnerable state and is angry no-one informed the family what was happening.

Privacy laws prevent medical details being released to other people without permission.

Andy’s mum claims the hospital should not have released him in that vulnerable state and is angry no-one informed the family what was happening.

But this is an issue that the family cannot come to terms with and want the coroner to investigate further to prevent other lives being lost.

“Protecting someone’s privacy is fine if they have a physical illness,” Ms Williams said.

“When it’s a broken brain it doesn’t work. They need someone to advocate for them.

“We believe Andy would still be alive if someone had picked up the phone and called us to let us know.

“The privacy laws need to change.”

To be found mentally ill and detained under the Mental Health Act 2007 (NSW), a person has to be exhibiting particular symptoms, such as a risk of harming themselves or others, and at least two medical practitioners need to agree.

Andy, described by his family as an “old soul”, had struggled with his mental health since his early teens.

A spokeswoman from Northern Beaches Hospital said it was notified of a potential coronial inquest and has provided relevant information to the NSW Coroner.

“As the matter is now before the coroner, it would be inappropriate at this time to provide

any further comment,” she said.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to the loved ones of Andrew Williams for their loss.”

Andy, described by his family as an “old soul”, had struggled with his mental health since his early teens.

While his loved ones have been waiting for news from the coroner, Ms Williams has written a book under a pseudonym.

“As the years have gone by, my family and I have struggled to come to terms with Andy’s death,” Ms Williams said.

“We have been searching for answers and ways to honour his memory.

“It is in this spirit that I have written a book which could help others who have endured similar fates.”

Good Grief: Waking up to a new mourning by JA Piiper is available on Amazon.

Lifeline on 13 11 14.