House integral to infamous Larrimah mystery on the market: “Just so sad”

The house in a tiny outback town has captured interest across the globe for all the wrong reasons - but now it is set to be sold at auction.

The abandoned home of a man at the centre of an unsolved mystery that has gripped the globe is set to go to auction.

The outback house belonging to missing man Patrick “Paddy” Moriarty is set to be put on the market six years after he vanished from the tiny Northern Territory town of Larrimah.

The then-70-year-old was last seen leaving the Larrimah Hotel, also known as the Pink Panther pub, on December 16, 2017, with his cattle dog Kellie.

At the time, the town had a total population of just 11 people.

Years after his disappearance, the case has continued to garner interest, recently becoming the subject of an HBO documentary available on Netflix Last Stop Larrimah.

Paddy Moriarty was last seen leaving the Larrimah Hotel on December 16, 2017. Picture: Helen Orr

Now, Mr Moriarty’s abandoned property, known as “Paddy’s Place” is set to be sold at an onsite auction in May.

Auction signs by Real Estate Central were seen pitched outside the house last week, advertising the 4200 sqm property as “prime highway frontage”.

“Auction, Tuesday 7th May – 11am onsite,” the sign reads.

Larrimah Pink Panther Hotel shared photos of the signs in a post on social media, writing: “(An) auction date has been set!”

The post sparked a mixed response online, with some expressing sadness the property has been put on the market.

“Just so sad,” one person wrote.

“How can they sell Paddy’s house?” said another.
“I reckon someone will buy it as a tourist attraction!” another commented.

Auction signs were pitched outside the property last week. Picture: Facebook@Larrimah Pink Panther Hotel

According to Northern Territory News, it’s understood the property had been held by the Public Trustee before the real estate agency was given the responsibility to put it to market.

The property is expected to be advertised online from Monday.

One local told the publication other properties in the town could soon be put up for sale.

The unnamed resident said there had been an expression of interest to buy the Larrimah Pink Panther Hotel and two other residents where currently in talks to take properties to auction.

The Stuart Highway passes directly through the township of Larrimah. Paddy Moriarty's residence is pictured on the right. Picture: News Corp Australia

2022 inquest

During a 2022 inquest into Mr Moriarty’s disappearance, Coroner Greg Cavanagh said the evidence showed that Mr Moriarty and his dog, Kellie, both died the evening they went missing.

“In my opinion, Paddy and his dog were killed in the context of and likely due to the ongoing feud he had with his nearest neighbour,” Mr Cavanagh said.

The coroner found Mr Moriarty and his dog both died the evening they went missing. Picture: Jason Walls

“He likely died on the evening of 16 December 2017. He had ridden home from the hotel, put the mostly-eaten chicken in the microwave, put his wallet on the table, put his hat in the usual place, put the dog food in the dog bowl, and got his own meal out of the freezer.

“He then went outside with the dog. There is no evidence as to where he went, however, in my view it’s likely that the new plants at Fran’s place were of some attraction to him.”

At the time, Coroner Cavanagh said legislation prevented him from concluding any particular person may have committed an offence.

Mr Moriarty’s body has never been found, and no charges have been laid.

News.com.au has contacted Real Estate Central for comment.