Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Murder accused faces court over body in burnt-out car
A 19-year-old man found naked and acting erratically on a boat has faced a Perth court for murder after human remains were found in a burnt-out car.
October 5, 2023
A man found naked and acting erratically on a boat north of Perth has faced court for murder after human remains were found in a burnt-out car.
Benjamin Jack McLaughlin, 19, briefly appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday over the death of a 38-year-old man on September 26.
He is accused of murdering the man after McLaughlin allegedly crashed his four-wheel drive near Cervantes, about 200km north of Perth.
Police found the dead man’s charred remains in the vehicle in bushland next to Indian Ocean Drive.
He had stopped at the site of the accident and an incident allegedly occurred between the two men which led to his murder.
His red car was later found in the ocean.
Officers arrested McLaughlin after he drifted out to sea on a fishing boat and jumped into the ocean.
He has been charged with murder, aggravated criminal damage by fire and stealing a motor vehicle.
He was remanded in custody to appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on October 25.
McLaughlin was previously charged with casting away ships, assaulting a public officer, assaulting a person aiding a public officer and obstructing public officers.
He is scheduled to appear in Perth Magistrates Court over these charges on November 16.