Update on naked man found in boat near Cervantes Jetty, WA

A man found naked on a fishing boat remains behind bars on remand over an alleged murder and series of bizarre events.

A man found naked near a small West Australian fishing town remains behind bars following a series of bizarre incidents that took place last year.

Benjamin Jack McLaughlin, from Hamilton Hill in Perth’s south, was seen acting erratically in a boat adrift in water off the Cervantes Jetty, north of Perth on September 26.

Nearby was a small red car that was submerged in water.

Mr McLaughlin ended up in the water and had to be rescued by cray fishermen in a boat before he was taken into police custody and for medical treatment.

The red car of the alleged murder victim was found in the ocean off Cervantes in Western Australia. Picture: 7News

That same morning a white Mitsubishi Pajero was found ablaze off Indian Ocean Drive between Cervantes and Jurien Bay, more than 200km north of Perth.

Police discovered human remains in a burnt-out car and Mr McLaughlin was later charged with murder.

He was not required to appear in the Stirling Magistrates Court on Wednesday to face charges of murder, causing criminal damage by fire and stealing a motor vehicle.

No pleas have been entered.

The state prosecutor said Mr McLaughlin needed more time with a forensic psychiatrist before they could proceed.

He was remanded in custody.

Mr McLaughlin will be back before the magistrate to face the murder charge on September 4.

Originally published as Update on naked man found in boat near Cervantes Jetty, WA