Partner’s unanswered questions over mysterious Harrington crash site deaths of Taree men Herbert Morcombe, Jadison Ridgeway
The partner of one of two young men who died near a motorbike crash site has spoken out after authorities provided an update on their deaths.
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The mysterious deaths of two young missing men found dead near a motorbike crash site on the Mid-North Coast will not be subject to an inquest, or further investigation, leaving the former partner of one of the men bitter, heartbroken – and full of unanswered questions.
Almost one year on since the bodies of Taree men Herbert Morcombe, 21, and Jadison Ridgeway, 20 – who had been reported missing for more than a week prior – were found dead near a crashed motorbike on the side of the road, authorities have revealed the case is closed.
The men were found near the bike on Harrington Rd, some 11 kilometres away from the town of Harrington on Monday, August 26 last year.
The NSW Coroner’s Court is not pursuing the matter and police have not been asked for further information.
Mr Morcombe had been in a relationship with Kuliyah Simon for about five years prior to the tragedy. She was the first to report him missing.
“At the time I knew something was wrong as Herbie liked to stay at home,” Ms Simon told The Daily Telegraph through tears as she learnt for the first time, via this publication, that the investigations into the deaths had ceased.
“He was the most loving, kind gentle soul - I miss him so much,” she said.
Eight months after Mr Morcombe’s funeral Ms Simon was able to obtain a copy of his death certificate. She said the cause of death was listed as head and neck injuries.
Ms Simon is now calling for a more extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
“Herbie had been riding since he was a kid - he knew how to ride a motorbike,” she said.
“They deserve justice. It has been too long and no one seems to be even doing anything.”
Ms Simon said she had attempted to obtain CCTV footage from police, which she understands shows the pair riding through Harrington.
She said she has not been granted access to view the footage.
The young men were last seen leaving a home on Dunoon St, Taree about 3.30am on Friday, August 16 last year.
Family and friends became worried and told police the disappearance was out of character.
On August 20, the police were notified and two days later officers made a public appeal for information.
Community members also launched search parties, one centred around the Harrington skate park, but to no avail.
On August 26, the grim discovery of the bodies was made not far from the side of the busy Harrington Rd which leads from the Pacific Hwy into Harrington.
At the time this publication probed the police, asking whether officers were investigating any suspicious circumstances, with a raft of suggestions on social media that the men were victims of foul play or otherwise murky circumstances.
A NSW Police spokesman did not directly answer questions, but said when officers arrived at the crash site not far from the Pacific Hwy exit, it appeared a motorbike had lost control on a corner and smashed into trees.
“While the investigation is ongoing, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner, initial inquiries suggest that the motorbike left the roadway on a sharp bend before crashing heavily into trees,” the spokesman said.
NSW Police were also asked about speculation the pair may have been riding a stolen motorbike, but they would not elaborate.
On Wednesday, a spokesman from the NSW Coroner’s Court said they would not be pursuing the matter further.
“The matters have been dispensed with by the Coroner and as such will not be proceeding to inquest,” the spokesman told this publication.
On occasion the Coroner can refer a matter back to police for further investigation, but a NSW Police spokesman confirmed there has been no such request in relation to the deaths of Herbert Morcombe and Jadison Ridgeway.
Got a news tip? Email: janine.watson@news.com.au
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