Almost two years after a former Australian radio host went missing while fishing, a Queensland coroner has ruled that he was most likely killed by a crocodile.
In late July, the Coroners Court of Queensland released findings on the death of 76-year-old Roman Butchaski, a former 2GB radio host. He vanished on November 12, 2023, while fishing near the Olive River Crossing in Shelburne, Queensland.
“[Butchaski] has likely been killed by a crocodile/other wild animal and his remains disposed of in that episode of misadventure,” wrote Coroner Christine Roney, according to documents reviewed by PEOPLE. She said evidence and witness testimony about crocodile activity in the area supported this conclusion.
Roney also stated that there was no sign his disappearance was linked to suicide or a staged event.
The ruling brings closure to a difficult time for Butchaski’s family and friends.
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Butchaski, originally from Sydney, trained as a chemical engineer before becoming the host of a fishing program on 2GB. Described as a “keen and experienced fisherman,” he traveled to Bramwell Homestead, a historic cattle station in northern Queensland, on November 9, 2023, to visit longtime friends.
Though he had fished in the region before, he was less familiar with the Olive River. He spent much of November 10 and 11 fishing there. On November 12, his final day before heading home, he left Bramwell around 8 a.m. on an all-terrain vehicle with lunch packed and a fishing rod.
When he didn’t return by sunset, a friend went looking for him but only found the ATV buggy — no sign of Butchaski.
A large search effort by land and air followed but ended on November 19 without results, aside from items left in the vehicle.
At the time, the Department of Environment and Science (DES) told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that there was “no evidence that a crocodile is involved in this incident,” but acknowledged the dangers in the area.
“Olive River is known croc country and people in the area are reminded to be crocwise in every choice,” a spokesperson said.
Roney later confirmed that two large saltwater crocodiles lived near where Butchaski disappeared. She outlined possible scenarios for how he ended up in the water — including being dragged in by a crocodile, slipping while fishing, or suffering a medical issue linked to his type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or the extreme heat.
“Once in the water, I believe [Butchaski] has been taken and killed, and likely consumed, by a large saltwater crocodile inhabiting the upper reaches of the Olive River,” Roney concluded.
Following the announcement, his friends paid tribute to him.
Michael Guest, his former cohost, told 2GB’s Ben Fordham that Butchaski’s excitement over fishing sometimes got the better of him.
“I think as fishermen we get a bit complacent and especially when the fish are biting,” Guest said. “The instinct to catch that big fish takes over, and you tend to get a bit closer to the water than you should sometimes.”
Guest also praised his late colleague’s personality:
“He represented the average Joe Blow fisherman so well,” Guest said, “and asked the right questions and created a really great banter.”
