A Northern Territory man who went missing from a remote outback town in 2017 is likely to be dead due to a feud with his neighbours, a coroner has found.
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Patrick Joseph Moriarty and his dog Kellie were last seen in the town of Larrimah, near Katherine, on the evening of December 16, 2017.
Despite extensive and repeated searches of the area, Mr Moriarty and Kellie have never been found.
In coronial findings published on Thursday, Judge Greg Cavanagh said it was likely Mr Moriarty died on the day he was last seen.
Judge Cavanagh said the 70-year-old was likely killed over an ongoing dispute with his nearest neighbours.
The case has been referred to the Commissioner of Police and Director of Public Prosecutions.
The findings detailed the lead up to Mr Moriarty's disappearance. He was last seen leaving the Larrimah Hotel on the Saturday evening, riding off on his red quadbike with Kellie in tow.
Mr Moriarty told the owner of the hotel he would return the next day to collect a mower, but never did.
The hotel owner went to his home a few hundred metres down the road on the Monday.
He found the space was neat and tidy, but Mr Moriarty and Kellie were not there. Mr Moriarty had also left behind his quadbike, four-wheel drive and personal items like his hat.
Police searched the area in the subsequent days and months but the man and dog were not found.
Judge Cavanagh noted the evidence given by Larrimah's 13 residents at inquests held in 2018 and 2022.
They spoke of a dispute between Mr Moriarty and his neighbour over a range of issues, including signs promoting a pie business and poisoned plants.
The judge said while he could not find or comment on whether a person was guilty of an offence, he believed offences were committed in connection with Mr Moriarty's death.
"In my opinion Paddy was killed in the context of and likely due to the ongoing feud he had with his nearest neighbours," Judge Cavanagh said.
NT Police released a statement on Thursday, saying Mr Moriarty's disappearance would remain an open case.
A $250,000 reward for information would also stay in place.
"This is a once-in-a-generation case," Detective Sergeant Matt Allen said in the statement.
"Murder investigations are challenging, particularly when there is no body. We need to find Paddy.
"Cases of this nature are never closed until they are solved."
Australian Associated Press
