A teenager died after walking through “dense and impenetrable” rainforest in far north Queensland, a coroner has heard.
Markiah Major’s family in the community of Yarrabah, near Cairns, last saw the 17-year-old in August 2023.
The indigenous teenager was never found and has had no contact with his family or friends since.
On August 19, 2023, Markiah drove a stolen Volkswagen Polo from Cairns to Yarrabah, abandoned the car once it ran out of fuel and drove into a nearby rainforest, coroner Stephanie Williams heard.
But there was insufficient evidence to determine when, how or what caused the teenager’s death, Williams said in giving his findings at Brisbane Coroner’s Court on Friday.
Markiah left a shoe and a wallet in the car.
About 250 metres from the car, on the banks of Budabadoo Creek, the teenager discarded or lost his other shoe and hat, Williams found.
“The rainforest that Markiah walked through was dense and impenetrable,” Williams said.
Markiah Major’s family in the community of Yarrabah, near Cairns, last saw the 17-year-old in August 2023.
Police have yet to find any trace of the teenager despite several searches of the bushland surrounding the town, including by the diving squad (pictured) and a human remains-detecting dog.
‘Budabadoo Creek is bewildering and surrounded by thick vegetation, including evergreen trees. It is difficult terrain.’
He discovered that the teenager had been using illicit drugs before his disappearance.
The coroner said Markiah was paranoid and feared police were following or looking for him.
He was described as a well-liked, shy and polite young man who loved playing football, camping and spending time with his family in Yarrabah.
Ms Williams said the young man was much loved by his family and deeply missed.
“The ambiguous loss experienced by the family of a missing person is considered the most traumatic type of loss,” she said.
The coroner said Markiah was paranoid and feared police were following or looking for him.
‘The trauma and stress are certainly compounded when the missing person is young and there are many unanswered questions about their disappearance.’
A youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the inquest he had received a message after Markiah disappeared suggesting a connection to motorcycle gangs.
Ms Williams said there was insufficient evidence to suggest anyone else was involved in her disappearance.
There was no other evidence to suggest the involvement of illegal motorcycle gangs, Williams said.
