An inquest into the suspected death of an Indigenous man almost 30 years ago has heard it’s possible he fell victim to traditional tribal punishment.

August 1, 2023

A missing Indigenous man involved in a forbidden relationship could have fallen victim to traditional tribal punishment, an inquest has been told.

Richard Milgin, 24, and Julie Buck, 23, disappeared in Western Australia’s Kimberley region almost three decades ago amid community tension over their “wrong skin group” union.

Ms Buck’s remains were found about a year later near where the couple was last seen in late 1993, but Mr Milgin’s whereabouts remain a mystery despite multiple police investigations and several arrests over his murder.

“According to traditional lore and cultural practices, Richard and Ms Buck’s relationship was forbidden because they were from the wrong skin groups,” counsel assisting Will Stops told the coroner during his opening address on Tuesday.

“Ms Buck had also been ‘promised’ to another man three times her age, community elder Mr Jimmy Nerrimah.”

The first investigation to find Mr Milgin started after Ms Buck’s partially clothed skeletal remains were found near the Aboriginal community of Looma.

Officers spoke with community members but they could not account for his movements before he disappeared.

Investigators were also unable to identify a crime scene and there was no physical material for forensic examination.

Mr Milgin’s family officially reported him as missing in February 1995.

Several people reported seeing him in the years after but police could not confirm these or they were cases of mistaken identity.

Cold case homicide detectives started a fresh investigation in 2016 but witness accounts were varied and inconsistent.

“There was however a common belief that Richard was subject to traditional tribal punishment for continuing his relationship with Ms Buck,” Mr Stops said.

“A number of (Looma) community members were not forthcoming due to cultural beliefs or fear of reprisal.”

Four suspects were identified and arrested on suspicion of Mr Milgin’s murder but they were released without being charged after they were questioned.

Police also identified two vehicles connected to the couple’s disappearance and a large bone from an adult man but they did not provide answers about Mr Milgin’s whereabouts.

Mr Stops said Mr Milgin had not been in contact with his family since his disappearance.

There was also no evidence that he has accessed Centrelink, a bank account, or other government funds.

Likewise, there is no record to indicate that Mr Milgin changed his name or moved interstate or overseas.

“Due to the passage of time, the death of potential suspects and witnesses, and the lack of any physical evidence, the circumstances surrounding Richard’s disappearance and suspected death remain a mystery,” he said.

Mr Stops said there was also no evidence he had fallen victim to traditional tribal punishment over his relationship with Ms Buck and there could be several other explanations for his disappearance.

“It is possible that after Richard and Ms Buck decided to leave Looma due to the growing community tension their relationship caused, they each perished from the elements,” he said.

The inquest in the WA Coroners Court will examine Mr Milgin’s disappearance to determine if the evidence establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that he is deceased.

If this happens the coroner will also try to determine how his death occurred, and the likely cause.