Inquest finds 'no breakthrough' into mysterious death of Indigenous teen

Coroner finds 'no breakthrough' after inquest into death of Mark Haines Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 11:41am The death of an Indigenous teenager, whose body was discovered on railway tracks in northern NSW more than 38 years ago, remains a mystery despite a coronial inquest that stretched over 24 days. WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains the name and photos of an Indigenous person who has died, used with the permission of their family. NSW Police initially concluded 17-year-old Mark Anthony Haines was responsible for his own death, after his body was found on a barren stretch of train tracks a few kilometres south of Tamworth on January 16, 1988. But the Gomeroi teenager's family has always maintained he did not lie down on the tracks and wait to die, but was put there. Through multiple police investigations and two previous coronial inquests, its view has never changed. Today NSW Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame handed down her findings from a fresh inquest that began in April 2024 and wrapped up in mid-October 2025. "I had hoped in conducting this inquest, we would have a point of greater clarity. It is a matter of personal regret this hasn't been achieved," she told the Tamworth Corners Court. "I am aware of the all-consuming impact and anger that Mark's death has had on [his family] for almost 40 years. "I am sorry there is no breakthrough." Judge Grahame said she was "confident" in the evidence that had been presented to the inquest, but said it was "highly likely that people in the community have knowledge of this case and have not shared it with police". "It is a frustrating realisation, and I acknowledge that it offers no comfort to those who love Mark," she said.