A long-awaited coronial inquest is set to officially examine the mysterious and tragic disappearance of a young man from Magnetic Island nearly a decade ago, as a new podcast also launches to delve into the enduring mystery.
The Night Ben Chisholm Vanished
Ben Chisholm, a 24-year-old from Victoria, was last seen in the early hours of Sunday, March 2, 2014. He had been socialising with friends at the Arcadia Hotel on Magnetic Island, off the coast of Townsville. After leaving the venue, Chisholm was captured on CCTV footage walking alone along Marine Parade at Arcadia around 1:30 am.
That brief, grainy video is the last confirmed sighting of him. Despite extensive land, sea, and air searches involving police, SES volunteers, and the community, no trace of Ben Chisholm has ever been found. His family, left in a state of agonising limbo, have never received answers about what happened to their son and brother after he walked off into the night.
A Formal Search for Answers Begins
Now, Queensland's State Coroner Terry Ryan has scheduled a three-day inquest starting on July 29, 2024 at the Townsville Magistrates Court. The purpose of a coronial inquest is not to lay criminal blame, but to establish the facts surrounding a death or disappearance where the cause is unknown.
This formal process will hear evidence, potentially from witnesses, police, and experts, in an effort to determine the circumstances of Chisholm's disappearance. It represents a critical step for the Chisholm family, who have campaigned tirelessly for a thorough investigation. The inquest may also result in recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
Podcast Sheds New Light on Cold Case
Coinciding with the renewed official attention, a new investigative podcast titled 'Where is Ben Chisholm?' has been released. Hosted by journalist Damon Guppy, the podcast aims to re-examine the case details, speak with those involved, and keep public attention focused on the unsolved mystery.
The podcast promises to explore various theories and pieces of information that have circulated over the years, providing a comprehensive audio documentary on one of North Queensland's most baffling missing person cases. It underscores the powerful role media can play in maintaining pressure and interest in cold cases.
The disappearance of Ben Chisholm left a profound impact on the close-knit Magnetic Island community and serves as a haunting reminder of how quickly someone can vanish without explanation. The upcoming inquest offers a glimmer of hope that, after nearly ten years of uncertainty, some measure of truth may finally come to light for a grieving family still searching for closure.
