NT DPP drops investigation into Larrimah Man Paddy Moriarty’s disappearance

The case of Larrimah man Paddy Moriarty, who went missing from a town of 12 people, inspiring a Netflix documentary, has received a major update from prosecutors.

On Wednesday, the Director of Public Prosecutions announced it was dropping its investigation into the missing person case of Mr Moriarty, who vanished without a trace from his home in Larrimah in December 2017. Pic: Helen Orr

The mystery surrounding a Territory outback town that captured international headlines will remain unsolved, as prosecutors drop their investigation into the disappearance of Paddy Moriarty.

On Wednesday, the Director of Public Prosecutions announced it was dropping its investigation into the missing person case of Mr Moriarty, who vanished without a trace from his home in Larrimah in December 2017.

“(The DPP) has determined that there is insufficient evidence to make out a charge against any person in relation to the disappearance of Paddy Moriarty.

“No further comment will be provided by the DPP at this time.”

The last known photo of Patrick 'Paddy' Moriarty at the Larrimah Hotel on the day he was last seen. Picture: NT Police

The mystery of Mr Moriarty and his dog, Kellie’s, disappearance from the town of just 12 people has inspired books, documentaries and ongoing speculation as to his whereabouts.

A 2022 coronial investigation into the 70-year-old’s disappearance ruled Mr Moriarty was dead, with the coroner determining that “offences may well have been committed”.

“In my opinion, Paddy and his dog were killed in the context of, and likely due, to the ongoing feud that he had with his nearest neighbours,” Territory coroner Greg Cavanagh ruled.

Mr Cavanagh said there could be no doubt that Mr Moriarty “is dead” and likely met his untimely end, along with Kellie, on the evening of December 16, 2017 after returning home from the pub.

Mr Cavanagh said there could be no doubt that Mr Moriarty “is dead” and likely met his untimely end, along with his dog Kellie, on the evening of December 16, 2017.

Mr Cavanagh said while it was unclear what happened next, it likely related to an ongoing and “escalating feud” with his neighbour and then tea house proprietor, Fran Hodgetts, who had recently complained to police that Mr Moriarty had poisoned her plants.

During the inquest, Ms Hodgetts denied all allegations that she was involved in his disappearance, stating: “I never, ever, ever, paid anybody or wanted to pay anybody to bump Paddy off and I swear to God, on my mother’s grave, I know nothing about Paddy.”

In chilling recordings played to the coroner, Ms Hodgetts’ former gardener, Owen Laurie, was allegedly heard saying he “killerated Paddy”.

“I struck him on the f***ing head and killerated the bastard,” Mr Laurie is allegedly heard saying on the recording.

“I killerated old Paddy, f***ing killerated him, I struck him on the f***ing head and killerated him.”

Mr Laurie exercised his right not to answer any questions about the recordings on the basis that he may incriminate himself but at one point stated: “I didn’t say anything like that at all, at any time, at any place”.

The gardener did concede he said “If anyone touches my plants it will be the first murder in Larrimah”, but told the coroner it was said jokingly and he had “no intention to murder anybody over a garden”.

Paddy Moriarty with his dog Rover outside the Larrimah Hotel. Pic: Helen Orr

Mr Cavanagh said the Coroners Act precluded him from making a finding “that any particular person may be guilty of an offence”.

“However, I will refer this investigation to the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions,” he said.

“For I believe that offences may well have been committed in connection with the death of Patrick Joseph Moriarty.”

NT Police said the $250,000 reward for any information in relation to Patrick ‘Paddy’ Moriarty’s disappearance was still in place.

“The police investigation is ongoing ... and we encourage the public to report any relevant information,” a spokeswoman said.
Punters eager to nab a slice of Larrimah history flocked to the tiny town on May 7 for the auction of Mr Moriarty’s home.

The property sold to a South Australian couple for $32,000.

Originally published as NT DPP drops investigation into Larrimah Man Paddy Moriarty’s disappearance