NSW coroner finds racism hindered 1988 investigation into Indigenous teen Mark Haines' death
Consensus Summary
A coronial inquest into the 1988 death of 17-year-old Indigenous teenager Mark Anthony Haines found that racism and unconscious bias significantly hindered the police investigation, leading to a superficial and flawed inquiry. Mark’s body was discovered on train tracks near Tamworth, NSW, on January 16, 1988, with a stolen Holden Torana nearby. Despite his family’s long-standing belief that he did not place himself on the tracks, police initially ruled his death a suicide, failing to collect critical evidence or follow leads. Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame ruled out suicide, concluding his death was due to traumatic head injuries in suspicious circumstances, and recommended the case be referred to the NSW Police Unsolved Homicide Squad for further investigation. The coroner also expressed skepticism about the testimony of Mark’s best friend, Glen Mannion, suggesting he may not have been fully transparent. The inquest highlighted systemic racism in Tamworth during the 1980s, with the coroner stating that a similar investigation for a white teenager would likely have been more thorough.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Mark Anthony Haines, a 17-year-old Gomeroi man, died on January 16, 1988, after his body was found on train tracks near Tamworth, NSW.
- The NSW Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame ruled out suicide as the cause of Mark Haines' death, finding his death was due to traumatic head injuries in suspicious circumstances.
- Mark Haines' family, including his sister Lorna and uncle Don Craigie, have consistently rejected the police's theory that he placed himself on the tracks.
- A stolen white Holden Torana was found near Mark Haines' body, and police initially concluded it was taken by him, despite evidence he did not know how to drive.
- Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame found that racism and unconscious bias influenced the police investigation into Mark Haines' death, calling it 'superficial' and 'inadequate'.
- Glen Mannion, Mark Haines' best friend, testified at the inquest but Coroner Grahame expressed doubt about his full transparency, stating 'I doubt Glenn Mannion has been fully open with this court.'
- The coroner recommended Mark Haines' death be referred to the NSW Police Unsolved Homicide Squad for further investigation, including DNA analysis of a cigarette lighter found near the tracks.
- Mark Haines' family attended a smoking ceremony at Tamworth Court after the findings were delivered, expressing enduring hope for answers.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Former Senior Constable Gordon Guyer testified that the term 'vegemite village' was commonly used to refer to Mark Haines' neighbourhood in Coledale, a derogatory reference to its large Indigenous population.
- Mark Haines' uncle Don Craigie recalled police driving F100s to the mission he grew up on, leaving a lasting scar on the community.
- The train that passed over Mark Haines' body was allowed to continue its journey south after his body was removed from the tracks.
- Mark Haines' parents were never the same after his death, and his mother dropped to the floor wailing when she found out about his death.
- Mark Haines loved animals, had a soft spot for Prince, and was known for his big smile and weekly phone chats with his younger siblings.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Mark Haines' body was discovered 'just south of Tamworth,' while Article 2 states it was found 'a few kilometres south of Tamworth.'
- Article 1 mentions the inquest lasted five weeks, while Article 2 states it stretched over 24 days.
Source Articles
Racism, bias led to 'superficial investigation' of teen's death
NSW Coroner's Court has found racial attitudes played a central role in the police investigation into Mark Haines's death 38 years ago.
Second inquest fails to solve mystery death of Indigenous teen
The death of Indigenous teenager Mark Haines, whose body was discovered on railway tracks in northern NSW in 1988, remains a mystery despite a coronial inquest that stretched over 24 days.
Racism hindered NSW police investigation into the 1988 death of Indigenous teenager Mark Haines, inquest found
Coroner overturned initial police finding of suicide, saying their investigation was ‘deeply flawed, superficial and inadequate from the outset’ •Warning: This article contains images of and references to Indigenous Australians who have died Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The police investigation into the death of Indigenous teenager Mark Haines in northern New South Wales nearly four decades ago was hindered by