West Australian coroner rules man found in abandoned mine shaft was homicide victim and his missing wife is also dead

A coroner has described the deaths of a couple in the outback as ‘disturbing’ and says at least one was the victim of a homicide.

A prospector whose body was found at the bottom of an abandoned mine shaft in a remote part of Western Australia was the victim of a homicide, while his missing wife is also dead, a coroner has concluded.

Raymond Kehlet, 47, was discovered about 1.8km from his campsite near Sandstone, but his wife Jennie, 49, remains missing after they went on a prospecting trip in search for gold in March 2015.

Coroner Ros Fogliani said in her 118-page findings, which were publicly released on Friday, that Mr Kehlet did not accidentally fall down the mine shaft, nor were his injuries accidental.

“I find that Ray’s death occurred as a result of homicide by a person or persons unknown,” she said.

“His death was violent and attributable to trauma from injuries sustained as a result of the actions of a person or persons unknown.

Jennie and Raymond Kehlet died in 2015. Picture: Nine News Perth

“Ray may have died immediately, or died of complications originating from the trauma, with the possibility of exposure contributing.”

Mr Kehlet’s cause of death could not be ascertained due to the advanced decomposition of his body.

The coroner made an open finding regarding Ms Kehlet’s death and noted there was “added distress and ongoing anxiety” for Ms Kehlet’s loved ones because her body had not been found.

But she said she was satisfied Ms Kehlet’s remains were in the Sandstone area.

“In the absence of Jennie’s remains being found, or any evidence of their location, it is not possible for me to make a finding on the manner of her death,” Ms Fogliani said.

“It does not follow, from my finding in respect of Ray’s manner of death, that Jennie’s death was violent or as a result of trauma.

“Jennie might have managed to escape immediate danger and then become disoriented and lost. It cannot presently be known.”

The couple had gone prospecting for gold in a remote part of Western Australia. Picture: Nine News Perth

Ms Fogliani said she was satisfied Mr Kehlet died on or about March 22, and his wife died not long before or after.

“It is important that the viability of ongoing efforts to find her remains be kept under regular review,” Ms Fogliani said.

“Further relevant information may also become available at a future time.”

The couple’s friend Graham Milne was a suspect at one point, but he was never charged, the inquest heard.

Mr Milne, who was granted immunity so his evidence could not be used against him in any future criminal proceedings, testified that the last time he saw the couple they were chasing after their dog, Ella, on March 21.

He said he spent some time prospecting alone, then returned to the campsite in the early hours of March 22 and drove home.

A copy of the coroner’s findings will be provided to the Director of Public Prosecutions, but Ms Fogliani did not link Mr Milne to the homicide.

“It is important for me to state that the referral to the Director of Public Prosecutions is not made by reason of any belief that I have formed concerning any action or omission on the part of Mr Milne in relation to Ray or Jennie,” Ms Fogliani said.

Jennie Kehlet’s body has never been found despite an extensive search.

Raymond Kehlet’s body was found at the bottom of a mine shaft.

The coroner also acknowledged the couple’s family and friends who continued to suffer from the devastating loss.

“The families of Ray and Jennie have suffered the loss of their loved ones in circumstances that are disturbing and unsettling. Their pain and grief is enduring,” she said.

“There has been a great deal of speculation as to the circumstances of their deaths, and whilst this may be unavoidable in the context of these events, it carries the risk of compounding their stress and adding to their angst.”

Ms Kehlet’s daughter Kelly Lee said in a statement on behalf of the children that the past six years had been a “torturous existence of uncertainty and grief”.

“Jen and Ray’s family have always maintained that they met with foul play, and that their deaths were no accident,” she said.

“We are vindicated and heartbroken in equal measure that the coroner shares our understanding of events.

“It’s beyond belief that anyone would ever want to hurt such loving, generous souls, and we call for justice to be served for our mother and father.

“We want to bring our mum home. We want to scatter her ashes at Meridum Ridge with Ray, so the inseparable pair can be together again.”

Police descend down the mine shaft where Raymond Kehlet was found. Picture: Twitter/Rebecca Johns, Nine News Perth

The coroner recommended police consider appointing two search and rescue co-ordinators as part of the forward command at the site in LandSAR operations in regional or remote areas and that at least one be from the emergency operations unit.

Ms Fogliani accepted it would not have made a difference to the outcome in this case, but said she hoped it might help in future situations.

Dave Kehlet said in a separate statement on behalf of the family that they were “relieved and extremely gratified” with the result of the inquest.

“We hope that the coroner’s findings, in particular her recommendations for review of LandSAR operations, will pay forward to ensure less families may go through our experience,” he said.

“We are hopeful that the Director of Public Prosecutions may now have the confidence required to pursue justice for Ray and Jennie, and perhaps from those proceedings Jennie may be found so that she can be laid to rest.”

In 2017, then Police Minister Michelle Roberts announced a $250,000 reward to help solve the mystery. Picture: AAP image/Angie Raphael

The West Australian Police Force said the findings would be fully considered and assessed.

“The deaths of both Ray and Jennie continue to be investigated by Homicide Squad,” police said in a statement.

“It is an active and ongoing investigation, with a reward of $250,000 for anyone with information that leads to the prosecution of an offender/offenders.”

Some changes had already been implemented in terms of LandSAR capabilities, police added.