Justice for Nathan Booth

15/06/2024

Quality care should be provided to all users of health systems' services.

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31/05/2024

https://indigenousx.com.au/impact-statement-from-nathan-booths-family/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR04DpiXf4jiQJVgXBJfPbeD1wY7IOTi0d9J4sqiLMY3Bg-noP4lCP-3Fyg_aem_AYYqdjFRJMDDcjn16ZQau1LR4OFCDShINEbAhExnJF3h7QfPtH_diK8_waASquSXNGg0pJAL2vVtxa_a6beJU965

Final statement as read yesterday outside the ACT Magistrates Court by Ida Hanley nee Booth on behalf of the Booth family:

29/05/2024

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Readers are advised this article contains the name and image of a First Nations person who has died. His photo…

29/05/2024

Statement our family made outside of the court house today 🖤💛❤️

Thank you for joining us today as we seek justice for Nathan. Today marks the beginning of our healing process as we uncover the truth behind Nathan's disappearance. We are here because we never gave up. We knocked on every door, determined to find the truth. We wouldn't be here if we hadn't persevered and kept knocking on every door until the truth was found.

This truth-finding process wouldn't be possible without the commitment of Coroner Ken Archer and Counsel Assisting Joe Kellaway. Thanks to their efforts, we have reopened the proceedings and started our journey towards finding answers. They listened to our stories, understood our pain, and gave us the opportunity to voice our concerns. They kept their word and investigated the matters we brought to them.

But things were very different five years ago.

Nathan went missing on June 27, 2019 and his remains were found in the Murrumbidgee River on December 1, 2019. We, Nathan’s family were only notified his remains were identified on December 20, 2019.

From the outset, there have been major issues and flaws identified with the police investigation, including that:
• The crime scene was not properly secured or treated as a potential homicide.
• Key witnesses with vital information were not interviewed by police.
• Contradictory statements from those interviewed were disregarded.
• Rumors of foul play, threats, and Nathan's involvement with drugs/criminal elements were not adequately investigated.
• Forensic testing does not appear to have been conducted on evidence found at the scene.

From the moment his remains were discovered on December 1st, 2019, the authorities' actions and words demonstrated nothing but a lack of care, interest and racist bias. The crime scene left unprotected, potential evidence contaminated - all pointing to a premature conclusion by police authorities that Nathan's death was an unfortunate "misadventure."

We know the facts. The facts are that the term "misadventure" has historically been used as a way to dismiss or downplay Aboriginal deaths, avoiding proper investigation and accountability. This has perpetuated systemic racism and discrimination against Aboriginal people… which is highlighted by so many reports, research and evidence and statements – Including the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1991 which proved majority of Aboriginal deaths were simply labelled as "misadventure" by coroners and authorities, with no thorough investigation conducted.

This term implies the death was merely an accidental occurrence, absolving authorities of responsibility and denying the inherent dignity of the deceased's life. Coronial inquests have frequently ruled Aboriginal deaths as being due to "misadventure", failing to examine the underlying systemic issues and injustices that contributed to the deaths. This avoids scrutiny of how the person was treated by authorities prior to their death, which the Royal Commission recommended all inquests should cover.

By labelling Aboriginal deaths as mere "misadventures", a pattern of impunity has been allowed to persist, denying justice and accountability. This has compounded the trauma and anguish in Aboriginal communities and families, like our family who are before you today, forced to grieve without closure or consequences for those responsible.
This insidious term [Misadventure] has become a cruel euphemism, allowing authorities to dismiss Aboriginal deaths without accountability. Just as the Royal Commission condemned the use of the term “misadventure” to avoid scrutiny of Aboriginal deaths in custody, we condemn its invocation to deny Nathan and our family justice – … “justice” which is automatically afforded to any white person in this Country…but not us, not any Aboriginal people, families or communities.

Nathan’s investigation has been haunted by an outward disregard for truth by authorities, systems and the government from the outset. Contradictory statements brushed aside, key witnesses ignored, and a willful blindness to the rumours of foul play circulating in our community. All because Nathan's struggles personal struggles made his life expendable in the eyes of the law.

We heard the haunting words of an officer at the scene: "Looks like he took a hit" Yet this was disregarded, his death prematurely ruled an ‘accident’ without a full accounting of the facts. This is yet another tragedy (among so many tragedies covered up by systems and authorities), involving the life of an Aboriginal man, where evidence of discrimination, neglect and racism was overlooked until it was too late.

The lack of care and interest from authorities extended even to the most basic investigative steps… No forensic testing of the belongings found with Nathan's body. No scrutiny of how he came to be in such treacherous terrain, improperly dressed for the elements. A complete failure to do their job, fuelled by the systemic biases and racism that have forever tainted this case.

We have listened to the whispers, the rumours of threats from criminal elements that the authorities turned a deaf ear to since 2019 when Nathan was found. We have watched as authorities cherrypicked statements to weave a narrative convenient to their prejudices, ignoring the pleas of witnesses to dig deeper and look at the facts before them.
And through it all, we have been met with obstruction at every turn, our pain is compounded by the knowledge that if Nathan was not an Aboriginal man, a full investigation would be demanded as a matter of course, without any barriers or reluctance by authorities.

But we will not be silent bystanders in this injustice. Not now, not ever.

We will not rest until those responsible are held accountable for their actions, until the truth is told, regardless of whose reputations or prejudices it implicates. For too long, we have been subject to and witnessed the systemic racism, abuse and violence inflicted upon our people by the very ‘institutions’ sworn to protect us. The unjust treatment of Nathan's case stands as clear evidence of how little Aboriginal lives are valued by those in power and remain enabled by colonial systems that cover up the truth. These continued injustices that our people have endured are a stain on our national conscience that can no longer be ignored.

Racism is killing Aboriginal people every day and this Country so called “Australia” is built on nothing but racism.

Let us be clear - there is no "misadventure" when Aboriginal people are subjected to systemic abuse, racism, intergenerational trauma, economic oppression, and social marginalisation by the very institutions meant to protect us. The true misadventure is the intentional ignorance and complete disregard that allows these injustices to persist.

We owe it to Nathan; we owe it to all of the Aboriginal lives lost at the hands of Australia’s colonial and racist systems. No more hollow gestures, no more empty apologies and no more “misadventure”. Only justice for our brother, our son, our family member whose life was stolen and devalued by a system that continues to fail us and our people at every turn. The choice is yours. Whose side of history will you stand on? We have made ours, and we will not be deterred until the truth we can no longer ignore is finally reckoned with.

26/05/2024

Hi all family and friends,
A three-day coronial inquest into death of Nathan Booth will begin on Wednesday 29th May 2024. Please stand with Nathan’s family to show your love and support as they seek justice for their beloved Nathan. I think it’s so important for all of us to be part of that process, to show strength in numbers at this difficult time and to show the Coroner and the Australian Federal Police that Nathan’s life mattered, Nathan is not forgotten.

🗓 Dates: Wednesday 29 May, Thursday 30th May and Friday 31st May
📍 Location: ACT Magistrate Court, 4 Knowles Pl, Canberra ACT 2601
🕒 Time: 11am - Impact Statement to the media will be read by Nathan’s family

For those unable to attend, please continue to share the love by showing your support on the platforms you possess. Use the hashtags + tag Justice For Nathan Booth’s page in posts you create. We want justice for Nathan Booth✊🏾 🖤💛 ❤️

26/05/2024

Nathan’s inquest will start next week on Wednesday 29th 30th and 31st of May we will be starting at pine island out of respect for where Nathan was found but it will be streamed live back to the court room for those who are not required at pine island
I’m am inviting all friends /community members that would like to support us at Nathan inquest to be there at 11am for our impact statement to be read out in front of the court house please feel free to attend any day that you are available
Big thank you to Kristie Peters for this fantastic banner she designed for our family love it xx
Justice for Nathan 🖤💛❤️

26/05/2024

11/12/2023

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Readers are advised this article contains the name and image of a First Nations person who has died. The above…

06/12/2023

We have had to reschedule Nathan inquest to a later date next year as we needed more time to go over all the documents
Thank you for all the support 🖤💛❤️

22/08/2023

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I hope everyone on Nathan's page takes the time to read and keep.up.with Nathan's directions hearing and his upcoming inquest This is important not just for our family but for our community and our nation to many Aboriginal peoples deaths are ruled su***de or misadventure murders need to be held accountable for our loved ones death and police need to be held accountable for there lack of investigations into our loved ones death
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https://the-riotact.com/aerial-images-help-narrow-timeframe-in-mysterious-death-of-man-found-in-isolated-river/694108?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=b247&fbclid=IwAR3FQtM7yTLdOEJmRRmv8d0FXi7_a9gVF8ODj8HfOpAxo9A_UdoYGWt2WoE

Readers are advised this article contains the name and image of a First Nations person who has died. The above…

18/08/2023

Nathan's 3rd directions hearing is on this Monday 21st August

Nathan was a muched loved family man.He was a Son ,Father, Brother,Nephew,Uncle and friend to many.

We miss you everyday and will fight every day to bring justice to you
Justice for Nathan Booth 🖤💛❤️

14/07/2023

https://nit.com.au/14-07-2023/6796/what-we-do-here-matters-to-the-rest-of-australia-coronial-inquest-brings-hope-to-booth-familyhttps://nit.com.au/14-07-2023/6796/what-we-do-here-matters-to-the-rest-of-australia-coronial-inquest-brings-hope-to-booth-family

Family and friends of Nathan Booth have welcomed a highly anticipated Coronial Inquest into his death, which has been scheduled for 14th Dec...

01/07/2023

Another good write up keeping his name fresh in people's minds
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An email account has been set up to collect more information about the death of Nathan Booth, whose body was found in the Murrumbidgee River more than three years ago. Photo used with family consent.

Readers are advised this article contains the name and image of a First Nations person who has died. The above…

28/06/2023

Nathan had his second directions hearing Tuesday the 27th of June 2023 This also was the date 4 years ago that Nathan was last seen alive in 2019

We where told we may not get an inquest at the end of his investigation 2021 as the police ruled his death a misadventure

We the Booth family and our community stood firm in our belief that Nathan was murdered

4 years later and Nathan's inquest will be 10 days the first 5 days of the inquest starting in December
The second 5 days will be held in the April/ May 2024

We did it
We demanded answers
We are forcing change

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Anyone with information please email
[email protected]
Your submission will be received in confidence by a member of the Coroners team

28/06/2023

The Canberra Times
Community members with information about Nathan Booth can now directly contact the coronial inquest into his "suspicious" death.

About 20 of the man's family and friends attended the ACT Coroner's Court on Tuesday in a show of support.

"It's quite moving to me to see Nathan so well represented in this room," coroner Ken Archer said.

The 40-year-old Indigenous Kambah man was found in the Murrumbidgee River south of Kambah Pool in December 2019 by two schoolboys, about six months after being reported missing.

How and why he ended up in such a remote place remains a mystery.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Joe Kellaway, said the inquest had formally set up an email address going directly to his instructing solicitors.

Anyone with information about the death of Nathan Booth can contact the inquest at: [email protected].

"This is our way of communicating with people within the community who may have something to say, who may be reluctant about how to come forward," Mr Kellaway said.

The court previously heard the Booth family's concerns that witnesses were scared to share key evidence.

Mr Kellaway also said the inquest hearings were going to take place in two parts, beginning with a five-day block in December, dedicated to forensic evidence and a visit to the site where Nathan's body was found.

A second block is set to take place in April or May next year, focusing on Nathan's missing person investigation and trying to piece together the trail of those who last saw the man alive.

The coroner said the inquest was "out of the ordinary".

"It raises issues about our community in a way that other inquests, I don't think, do," Mr Archer said.

The court heard the family were making inquiries with Legal Aid for representation throughout the process.

"It is very much in the public interest that the Legal Aid office provides appropriate assistance to your family to participate in this inquest in a proper way," Mr Archer said.

"It is a difficult case in a legal and factual sense."

Tuesday marked four years since Nathan was last seen alive.
Another directions hearing is set to take place on August 21.

If you have any information about Nathan's death please email

[email protected]

Your submission will be received in confidence by a member of the Coroners team

22/02/2023

Justice for Nathan Booth T-Shirts.

We are selling t-shirts to the community for $80.

All funds raised from the shirt sales will go back into the community supporting Khaamburra Netball with their annual tournament, as well as funding a trip for kids in the community to attend a tournament interstate.

We have 40 available currently, first in best dressed.

For those who miss out we will be taking pre orders.

Payments to be made by PAYID to 0406154118 - please put your size and name as reference when making payment.

Sizes range from L to 5XL

**pre sale shirts available in all sizes including kids**

31/12/2022

This day 3 years ago we had to lay Nathan to rest

16/12/2022

03/12/2022

Nathan was a loving father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and pop. Nathan’s life was tragically cut short and his family is left with heartbreak and frustration as many questions remain unanswered. When Nathan’s body was discovered on December 1st 2019 and later in the month identified, our world...

03/12/2022

The link below is a website that has been set up to help with the investigation into Nathan’s death.

All information can be submitted anonymously.

Nathan’s family urge anyone with information, whether it be big or small come forward. What you know could be this missing piece in the puzzle.

Please share this post to circulate it through the community.

Nathan was a loving father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and pop. Nathan’s life was tragically cut short and his family is left with heartbreak and frustration as many questions remain unanswered. When Nathan’s body was discovered on December 1st 2019 and later in the month identified, our world...

25/10/2021

In May 2020 people around the world marched in protest of police brutality with the Black Lives Matter movement.

This sparked protests here in Australia to stop black deaths in custody.

As a branch off of the stop black deaths in custody movement, we need to acknowledge the families of those who died under suspicious circumstances and who are never granted the justice they deserve, through lack of thorough investigations and lack of care from authorities when it comes to deaths within our community.

If Nathan had not of had a criminal past, would more of been done to solve his murder?

If Nathan were WHITE, would more of been done to solve his murder?

Our family and community need JUSTICE. They can't keep killing our family/mob with no consequences.

Police profiling Aboriginal people with ignorance has to stop.

NO Nathan did not commit su***de

NO Nathan did not drown in shallow water.

NO Nathan did not go for a fun run while highly effected by drugs.

Nathan was a good swimmer.

Nathan knew about canberra cold winter and wouldnt walk without a jacket.

Nathan knew his abilities

19/10/2021

Later this week Nathan’s first grandson, Isaiah will turn 1.

Nathan never got the opportunity to meet Isaiah, he never got to support his biggest daughter through parenthood and their family never got to witness the special bond Nathan would of had with the first ever boy to be in his little family.

Although the family has come to terms with the fact that Nathan is no longer around, it would bring peace to find out the truth about what happened to him. To be able to no longer live with fear, doubt and anger.

If anyone as information on what happened to Nathan, you are encouraged to contact [email protected]

All information received will remain anonymous.

As mentioned before, even the littlest bit of information may be what the family needs to fit the puzzle together.

14/10/2021

This page was created in hopes of receiving new information regarding Nathan’s disappearance and death.

Nathan’s family were informed this week by the Coroner that Nathan’s death is set to be ruled as accidental cause by misadventure, as per the Police findings.

The family refuse to accept this ruling and are desperate for any new information that may be able to help them secure a trial and thorough investigation of Nathan’s case.

Without any new information, Police and the Coroner will have no choice but to close Nathan’s case, leaving his death to be ruled as accidental.

Any information you may have, whether it may be big or small might just be the missing piece needed to bring Nathan justice.

14/10/2021

14/10/2021

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6810889/nathans-death-is-a-mystery-and-his-grieving-family-is-searching-for-answers/

Mystery surrounds why Nathan Booth's body was found in a remote part of the Murrumbidgee River gorge last year.

14/10/2021

Nathan Booth was last seen in late July 2019. After officially being reported missing in September of 2019, Nathan became a missing person. In this time, family and friends were inundated with stories on where Nathan was or what may have happened to him.

In December 2019, Nathan's remains were found in the Murrumbidgee River.

After an investigation by police and an autopsy, Nathan's death was ruled to be accidental and the result of a misadventure.

Nathan's family refuse to accept this finding and are desperate for any witnesses with information to come forward. New evidence or information is critical to get Nathan's case to trial.

If you or anyone you know have information on Nathan's disappearance or death please send all relevant information to the provided email.

All information received will be kept confidential and you are able to contact anonymously.

We need to get justice for Nathan and bring a sense of security to the community by finding who did this to such a well-known and like figure in our community.