Josh Warneke: Coroner’s inquest into the tragic death of Broome man will be held between September 16-27

A Coroner’s inquest into the tragic death of Broome man Josh Warneke will be held in September, it’s been confirmed. More than 14 years after he died on a lonely stretch of road, the WA Coroner has finally announced inquest dates into Mr Warneke’s death. At a Coroner’s court hearing on Friday it was confirmed that the inquest would be held between September 16-27. Part of the inquest will be heard in Broome, while the other sitting days will be held in Perth. As previously reported by The West Australian, the Coroner was expected to confirm the September inquest dates on Friday during a “callover” hearing at the Central Law Courts. The fact the inquest will be held over two weeks gives rise to the possibility dozens of witnesses will be called to give evidence during the 10 day the hearing. The identity of those witnesses will become clearer in September. On Friday, Mr Warneke’s mother Ingrid Bishop said: “I would like to say a heartfelt thanks to everyone who has pushed to make this inquest a reality.” Ms Bishop said she had been informed that she would have a copy of the Coroner’s inquest brief within the week. The major development in the case comes a staggering 14 plus years after Mr Warneke died. His body was found on the outskirts of Broome on February 26, 2010, after he spent a night out with friends and decided to walk home to the Roebuck Estate. Witnesses have previously told police they saw him at about 2.45am walking near the intersection of Old Broome Road and Short Street. A taxi driver found his body on the side of the road less than 10 minutes later. He had suffered a serious head injury. Indigenous man Gene Gibson was charged with Mr Warneke’s murder in 2012 – before eventually pleading guilty to manslaughter. Gibson was jailed for more than seven years and had served nearly five when WA’s highest court found the “integrity of the plea was impugned” and his conviction should be quashed. A scathing Corruption and Crime Commission investigation found the original police inquiry was botched by officers who failed to follow proper procedures. Police sent their investigation files to the State Coroner three years ago. Ms Bishop — who claims the original police inquiry into her son’s death was “unlawful” — had hoped a Coroner’s inquest into her son’s death would be swift. In an interview with The West in 2021 she said she was keen to have the Coroner “fast-track” her son’s case as a matter of urgency. “A public inquiry that examines every facet of the case is needed here,” she said at the time. “I’d like to see it fast-tracked. “We, the family are just wanting answers to questions that have gone unanswered for a decade. We want the truth.”