TAMWORTH — Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame ruled that the 1988 death of 17-year-old Gomeroi teenager Mark Haines is suspicious and that racism hindered the initial police investigation. Grahame recommended that the case be referred to the New South Wales police unsolved homicide unit.

Mark Haises's body was discovered on railway tracks outside Tamworth on January 16, 1988. An autopsy determined he died from a traumatic head injury, but police initially ruled his death a suicide. Grahame overturned this initial finding, stating, "I find it inconceivable that such a superficial investigation would have taken place had a young white teenager from the right side of town been found on the train tracks in similar circumstances."

Grahame said, "I accept that the initial investigation into Mark's death was deeply flawed, superficial and inadequate from the outset." She added, "I am satisfied that Mark's death is suspicious in that some of the people involved did not or have not come forward."

Don Craigie, Haines's uncle, advocated for a reinvestigation of the case for multiple years. Craigie said, "We knew our Mark and we did not believe that Mark would go out on the tracks alone." He added, "We believe Mark had met with foul play and someone out there knows what happened to him."

Police did not conduct forensic testing on a stolen Holden Torana found crashed near the tracks or on the train involved, and Haines's body was relocated shortly after its discovery. A towel had been placed under Haines's head. Grahame characterized a theory involving local boxer Eddie Davis as unsubstantiated. Glenn Mannion, a close friend of Haines, testified at the inquest and denied possessing additional information about the death. The recommendation for referral includes conducting DNA analysis on a cigarette lighter recovered near the tracks. A reward of one million Australian dollars remains active for information regarding the case.

James Pender, managing coronial advocate for the New South Wales Aboriginal Legal Service, said, "Our client, Uncle Don Craigie, has always believed that racism compromised the police investigation of his nephew's death." Pender added, "Thanks to his tireless advocacy, almost 40 years later, a coroner has confirmed this to be true."