An inquest into the disappearance and suspected death of Gunningbland woman Judith Young has resulted in an open finding being handed down in the Glebe Coroner’s Court.
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Magistrate Sharon Freund has referred the matter to the Unsolved Homicide Squad.
Ms Young’s husband Phillip remains a person of interest in relation to her death, the Coroner said.
However, he strongly believes she is alive and living in Queensland.
Ms Young has not been seen or heard from since December 1999. She was 40 years old.
Her disappearance was not reported to police until August 25, 2001, by her brother William (Bill) Henry after he hadn’t heard from her for about two years.
At the time of her disappearance, Ms Young was married to Phillip Young, who remains the owner of properties at Gunningbland.
The inquest into her disappearance and suspected death was heard in the NSW State Coroner’s Court over a period including March 30-31, April 1-2, May 13 and June 25 of this year before the findings were handed down on Thursday.
Prior to handing down her decision, Magistrate Freund gave a detailed background on Ms Young who was born and raised in Orange.
Magistrate Freund noted that prior to her marriage to Phillip Young she had a number of serious relationships and had been involved with other men during her marriage including a Peter Brennan.
“Having considered all the evidence before me, I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Ms Young is no longer alive and she died sometime after December 5, 1999,” Magistrate Freund said.
She listed the following reasons:
“Firstly, the evidence from all who knew Ms Young was that she was very attached to her horses and dogs. The fact she purchased a new horse at auction and effectively abandoned it and other horses after December 5, 1999, is highly unusual and completely out of character.
“Secondly, it is significant that in December, 1999 or January 2000 just prior to her disappearance, that Ms Young borrowed $680 from a friend saying at the time she needed the money urgently as someone was going to kill her.”
She never indicated who.
Magistrate Freund also stated that inquiries with QBE Insurance indicated that there were numerous medical documents contained within the file and that they were expecting to pay out a large amount to Ms Young if she continued with her claim.
“I note that it is significant that QBE have had no contact with Ms Young since November, 1999.”
Her case with the insurance company had since closed due to lack of correspondence.
“Judith took medication constantly to relieve her back and neck pain and regularly sought medical assistance,” the magistrate said. “Her Medicare card has not been used since October 1, 1999.”
All checks completed through the Missing Person’s Unit have shown nil activity by Judith Young or any of her aliases.
Magistrate Freund also took into account that Ms Young had not spoken to her brother or his wife since October, 1999, despite being close to the couple and knowing her brother was to undergo heart bypass surgery in December, 1999.
“Ms Young’s death is in my view suspicious,” she said.
“There remains troubling aspects in relation to the evidence provided to police by Mr Young regarding the disappearance of his wife that does not sit with other evidence heard during the course of this inquest.
“Accordingly, he remains a person of interest in relation to Ms Young’s death.
“I find that Judith Ann Young died sometime after December 5, 1999.
“In relation to the manner and cause of her death I make an open finding and refer the matter to the unsolved homicide squad.”
