Police renew appeal for information into unsolved 2019 death

Please be aware that this media release contains the name and image of a First Nations person who is deceased.  

ACT Policing is issuing a renewed call to the Canberra community for information surrounding the disappearance and death of 40-year-old man Nathan Booth.  

Today (1 December 2022) is three years since Nathan’s remains were discovered in the Murrumbidgee River. He had previously been reported missing, and was last seen by his family in June, 2019.  

Police on behalf of the coroner are still investigating how it was that Nathan’s body came to be in the river and how he died. The investigation has not determined whether Nathan died as a result of events that occurred before or after he entered the water. Police are investigating the matter without a concluded view as to the possible cause of Nathan’s death. 

Police and Nathan’s family are urging anyone who has information surrounding his disappearance and subsequent death to come forward and speak to investigators.  

Police would like to speak to anyone who spoke to or saw Nathan, or who knew of his movements or state of mind, between June and December 2019.  

Police are also asking anyone who visited the Murrumbidgee River between Red Rocks Gorge and Kambah Pool Recreation Area between June and 1 December, 2019 (including bushwalkers, bike riders and kayakers) to contact police if they have any video or images including those taken by action cameras or drones.  

It is anticipated that a Coronial hearing will be conducted in the first half of 2023. Information from the public would greatly assist the coroner in determining the manner and cause of Nathan’s death.   

Any piece of information, no matter how small, could be of importance to investigators. Nathan’s family are anxious to know how it was that he died. 

Family statement 

Please help us get Justice for Nathan. 

Our family are seeking information on the death of Nathan Booth from the Canberra 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 stopped. You often hear of stories like these, but never do you think this will happen to anyone in your family. There are too many unanswered questions around the death of Nathan. Although the family has come to terms with the fact that Nathan is no longer here, we would like to know the truth about what really happened to Nathan.  

Nathan had four daughters whom he loved and adored who are now navigating adulthood without their father. He has missed out on many milestones within the family, most notable being the arrival of his grandchildren. We mourn the Pop we know Nathan would have been and we often wonder what things would be like if he were still with us. Nathan also was a role model and loved by all his nieces and nephews and the loss of their uncle has had a big impact on everyone. 

Nathan deserves justice, our family deserves justice. We will not stop searching for answers. 

ENDS 

Anyone with information that could assist police should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 6434580. Information can be provided anonymously. 

Note to media: Please be aware that Nathan Booth was a First Nations person. Any reporting needs to consider cultural sensitivities around the use of his name and photograph. 

Media enquiries 

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au