WA Police identify NT man Gary John Schmidt after death near Victoria Hwy, Kununurra, in 2015

WA police are appealing to the public for information about a man who was found dead along the Victoria Hwy nine years ago, and they say he’s from the NT. find out more.

Gary John Schmidt has been identified by WA Police as a man who died in Kununurra in 2015. Picture: WA police

A Northern Territory man has been identified nine years after his remains were found in Kununurra, with Western Australia Police revealing his identity – but they say how he died is still a mystery.

Western Australia Police Force on Saturday issued a statement identifying Gary John Schmidt, 46, as having been the man whose remains were found on June 17, 2015.

On that date, officers received a report that human remains had been found about three kilometres east of Cockatoo Springs, along the Victoria Highway in Kununurra.

Due to the state of Mr Schmidt’s remains – police were unable to make a call on an identity.

Gary John Schmidt has been identified by WA Police as a man who died in Kununurra in 2015. Picture: WA police

A probe was launched that same year but with recent advancements in investigative genetic genealogy, WA detectives were only able to positively identify Mr Schmidt in 2024.

“Mr Schmidt, aged 45 years and originally from the Northern Territory, was believed to be travelling around Australia prior to his death,” WA Police Force in a statement on Facebook said.

Gary John Schmidt has been identified by WA Police as a man who died in Kununurra in 2015. Picture: WA police

Investigations into Mr Schmidt’s death have so far been unable to confirm the circumstances surrounding his death – including how he died or why he was in the Kununurra area.

However, WA Police said they believed Mr Schmidt had been travelling back home to the Territory.

WA Police asked that anyone who recognised Mr Schmidt, or who may have information on his movements before his death, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Online and anonymous reports can be made at crimestopperswa.com.au.

Originally published as WA Police identify NT man Gary John Schmidt after death near Victoria Hwy, Kununurra, in 2015