Paddy Moriarty: Major development announced in Larrimah missing person case made famous on Netflix show
It is the enduring mystery that gripped millions of Netflix viewers around the world.
Now, after a major legal development, it appears there may never be answers to what happened to Paddy Moriarty, whose 2017 disappearance from an outback town inspired true crime docu-series Last Stop Larrimah.
A Larrimah local, Mr Moriarty had been fighting with his neighbours before he went missing. And, with just 12 people living in the town at the time, speculation fell on whether one of them had something to do with his disappearance.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Millions of viewers around the world tuned in to the docu-series which “delves into a mysterious disappearance in a remote outback town, where any of the 11 inhabitants could be a killer”.
Two years ago the NT coroner ruled Mr Moriarty was likely “killed in the context of and likely due to the ongoing feud he had with his nearest neighbours”.
“He likely died on the evening of 16 December 2017.”
However, the NT Director of Public Prosecutions now says no charges will be laid.
“The DPP has determined that there is insufficient evidence to make out a charge against any person in relation to the disappearance of Paddy Moriarty,” a spokesperson said.
“No further comment will be provided by the DPP at this time.”
NT Police say they will continue to investigate the disappearance and a $250,000 reward for information is still on offer.
Mr Moriarty and his dog Kellie went missing from Larrimah, 500km south of Darwin, late on December 16 while walking the 280m from the town pub to his home. A body has never been found.
Foul play was an immediate focus for police investigating the case. Within weeks, listening devices were installed in the home of local Owen Laurie who had been working as a caretaker and gardener and living in a property across the road from Mr Moriarty.
A voice in his home was secretly recorded saying: “F***ing killed Paddy, hit him on the head”.
“Smacked him on the f***ing nostrils with my claw hammer” and “I killerated old Paddy… I struck him on the f***ing head and killerated the bastard… basherated him”.
At the coronial inquest, Mr Laurie denied it was him.
Mr Moriarty’s home in Larrimah was sold last month for $32,000 after seven people bid at an auction.
