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Three years on: Paddy Moriarty case remains a mystery

THE missing person’s case of Paddy Moriarty continues to intrigue the public, three years on from his disappearance. READ MORE ABOUT THE CASE HERE

Paddy Moriarty had lived in Larrimah for years, before he went missing without a trace on December 16, 2017. Picture: Helen Orr
Paddy Moriarty had lived in Larrimah for years, before he went missing without a trace on December 16, 2017. Picture: Helen Orr

THE missing person’s case of Paddy Moriarty continues to intrigue the public, three years on from his disappearance.

Mr Moriarty, 70, along with his dog Kellie the Kelpie, went missing without a trace on December 16, 2017, from the tiny town of Larrimah a five-hour drive south of Darwin.

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He was last seen sipping beers at the Pink Panther Hotel before heading home.

He was reported as missing three days later after residents grew concerned over his absence.

His disappearance sparked a large scale response with helicopters, the TRG and SES volunteers helping to search hundreds of areas of interest.

Larrimah
Larrimah

His death is being treated as suspicious, and sparked an inquest, which was held in Katherine.

Since the inquest in 2018 – just six months after his disappearance, the small town has been through a lot.

The Pink Panther Hotel was sold by publican Barry Sharpe to Steve Baldwin.

In 2019 Mr Sharpe passed away, along with the departure of Devonshire Tea House owner Fran Hodgetts.

Ms Hodgetts is set to return next year after undergoing cancer treatment in Melbourne, her grandson Brent Cilia had held the fort, cooking up pies and brewing tea.

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The investigation remains an active case with Detective Matt Allen leading the investigation.

Police over the last three years have made the trip to the town to speak with its dozen or so residents as well as chasing up leads sent to cops by the public, however there remains no breakthrough.

judith.aisthorpe@news.com.au

Originally published as Three years on: Paddy Moriarty case remains a mystery

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/national/three-years-on-paddy-moriarty-case-remains-a-mystery/news-story/189ea90ba6ce34d91eadc375551bbac5