More heartache for Matthew Leveson’s family as the inquest into his disappearance is adjourned
THE inquest into the death of Matthew Leveson, who vanished in 2007 after leaving a nightclub, was postponed for six months today.
NSW
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MATTHEW Leveson’s family have been dealt a near six-month delay in the painstaking inquest into their son’s disappearance but again vowed to bring him “home where he belongs”.
“Matt was last seen leaving ARQ Nightclub 3453 days ago, this inquest began 407 days ago,” Matthew’s father Mark told Glebe Coroners Court today.
“No one could argue we’re not a patient family.”
Leveson’s family and supporters wore purple ribbons, their son’s favourite colour, and fought back tears as they again faced media outside court.
Deputy State Coroner Elaine Truscott thanked the Levesons for their “utter patience”, before adjourning the hearings until August 23.
The inquest last sat in November when Michael Atkins, Matthew’s former boyfriend who was acquitted in 2009 of murdering him, admitted lying to investigators.
Leveson was last seen alive leaving Arq nightclub in Darlinghurt around 2am with Atkins.
Atkins, 54, had told police the couple were asleep in bed for most of Sunday, September 23, 2007. But CCTV footage from Bunnings at Taren Point showed him making purchases at 12:15pm that day, the inquest late last year heard.
He told the court he bought tools and duct tape to plant vegetables on the day his beau went missing — even though he didn’t have a garden.
RELATED: ATKINS TELLS POLICE WHERE HE BURIED LEVESON’S BODY
He was offered immunity from perjury charges by prosecutors in November, on the condition he show police the location of the 20-year-old’s body while the inquest adjourned.
He led police to a site in the Royal National Park but two subsequent searches in November and January did not reveal a body.
Counsel assisting the police Patrick Saidi said the inquest would consider whether Mr Atkins could be called again to give evidence or whether he could avoid it on the basis he was now had perjury charges hanging over him again and faced possible self-incrimination.
Difficulties in getting all necessary lawyers, including those for Mr Atkins, back before Ms Truscott on the same dates added to lengthy delays.
Counsel assisting the inquest Lester Fernandez announced he would step aside for a short period of the hearing, due to a legal technicality, and would be replaced for a section of the hearing by another senior barrister, Tim Game SC.
Outside Glebe Coroners Court today Mark and Matthew’s mother Faye Leveson said they attended the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday — a “bitter sweet” outing to show the pride they still held for their son.
“The ironic part with the Mardi Gras, we walked past ARQ nightclub,” Mark said.
They vowed to continue searching for their son while the inquest rested.
“We’ll find Matt, it might take us a lot longer than we thought ... but eventually we will find Matty,” Faye said.
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