Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

Bone belonging to Thomas Courto found seven months after ill-fated Tasmanian boating trip

Thomas Courto has been missing since a boating tragedy in October. (Supplied: Facebook/Tasmania Police)

A recreational diver has found a bone belonging to Thomas Courto, seven months after the Wynyard man went on an ill-fated boating trip with two friends off Tasmania's north-west.

Mr Courto and two friends, Bree-Anna Thomas and Isaiah Dixon, set out on a trip from Wynyard on October 18 and failed to return.

Ms Thomas and Mr Dixon's bodies were found washed ashore two days later, but until now there has been no sign of Mr Courto.

Tasmania Police said the bone was found by a recreational diver on April 21 near Table Cape.

DNA testing confirmed the bone belonged to Mr Courto.

"Following the discovery of the bone … police divers thoroughly searched the area for three days, but sadly no further trace of Thomas was located," a spokeswoman said.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with Thomas's family and loved ones at this difficult time."

The October search involved land, sea and air crews. (ABC News: Piia Wirsu)

During the initial search in October, police used sonar technology to map and search the sea floor in the area.

It was one of the largest sea marine searches ever undertaken on the north-west coast.

The three friends' boat was last seen anchored in Boat Harbour, north-west of Wynyard, about midday on Monday, October 18.

They were reported missing that evening.

Extensive searches took place off the north-west Tasmanian coast. (ABC News: Piia Wirsu)

Search crews were on the water, in the air and on land.

The bodies of Ms Thomas and Mr Dixon were found washed ashore between Fossil Bluff and Table Cape two days later.

Floral tributes were left in Wynyard in a show of support for the families of Isaiah Dixon, Thomas Courto and Bree-Anna Thomas. (Supplied: Annie Matthews)
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.