A teenager died after walking into "dense and impenetrable" rainforest in far north Queensland, a coroner has found.
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Markiah Major's family in the community of Yarrabah, near Cairns, last saw the 17-year-old in August 2023.
The Indigenous teenager has never been found and hasn't had contact with his family or friends since.
On August 19, 2023 Markiah drove a stolen Volkswagen Polo from Cairns to Yarrabah, abandoned the car once it ran out of petrol and entered a nearby rainforest, Coroner Stephanie Williams found.
But there was not enough evidence to determine when, how or what caused the teenager's death, Ms Williams said in handing down her findings in Brisbane Coroners Court on Friday.
Markiah left a shoe and wallet in the car.
About 250 metres from the car, on the banks of Budabadoo Creek, the teenager discarded or lost his other shoe and hat, Ms Williams found.
"The rainforest into which Markiah walked was dense and impenetrable," Ms Williams said.
"Budabadoo Creek is disorienting and boarded by thick vegetation including wait-a-while trees. It is difficult terrain."
She found the teen had been using illicit drugs before his disappearance.
The coroner said Markiah was paranoid and afraid police were following or looking for him.
He was described as a much-loved, shy and polite young man, who loved playing football, camping and spending time with family in Yarrabah.
Ms Williams said the young man was cherished by his family and sorely missed.
"The ambiguous loss experienced by the family of a missing person is considered to be the most traumatic kind of loss," she said.
"No doubt the trauma and stress are exacerbated when the missing person is young and much about their disappearance remains unanswered."
A young person, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the inquest they had received a message after Markiah's disappearance, suggesting a connection to motorcycle gangs.
Ms Williams said there was not enough evidence to suggest the involvement of another person in his disappearance.
There was no other evidence to suggest the involvement of outlaw motorcycle gangs, Ms Williams said.
Australian Associated Press
