Inquest hears conflicting accounts about Joanne Butterfield’s 1998 disappearance

A Queensland inquest is examining whether Mossman mother Joanne Butterfield died and whether police properly investigated her disappearance in 1998. Witnesses described tensions involving Concetto Tati, while others denied knowledge of what happened and questioned the reliability of some recollections.

A Queensland inquest is examining what happened to Mossman mother Joanne Butterfield, who disappeared without trace in June 1998. Coroner Stephanie Williams is considering whether Butterfield has died and whether the police investigation into her disappearance was adequate.

The inquest heard that Butterfield had told some people her children would be better off if she left Mossman. At the same time, she had recently started a supermarket job, and mental health services had earlier assessed her condition as improved enough to recommend closing her file.

Taxi operator Colleen Brischetto said Butterfield and Concetto Tati had argued three or four times at a taxi rank during the two months before the disappearance. Brischetto told the inquest that Tati once appeared anxious to find Butterfield and became angry when she suggested he leave her alone. She also said Butterfield had told her she was having trouble with Tati.

Taxi driver David Arduino described Tati as sometimes rude and aggressive and said the pair argued several times in his cab. He recalled a separate journey during which Tati appeared nervous, carried a duffel bag and briefly walked into scrub after asking the driver to stop. Arduino later gave police a statement, but could not remember whether the trip occurred before or after Butterfield disappeared.

Tati told the inquest he recalled meeting Butterfield only once and denied any knowledge of or involvement in her disappearance. His lawyer suggested witnesses may have confused Butterfield with another woman. Michael O’Donoghue, who was also associated with the Mossman Hotel, likewise denied involvement or knowledge.

The inquest heard that Butterfield’s clothing, bag and documents were found near South Johnstone, about 160 kilometres from where she was last seen. Some belongings, including identification documents and a freshly updated resume, were discarded, while other items were posted to her daughter. Evidence has also been given about a night Butterfield reportedly spent at the home of the late Victor Varga. A former detective said he could not recall why her belongings were not subjected to DNA analysis.