A teenager died while trying to escape from police, according to inquest results.

Warning: The following story mentions the name of a deceased Indigenous person. Please proceed with caution.

A young Indigenous teenager tragically lost his life while trying to evade the police with his older brother. The coroner's report has revealed that Robert George Kenneth Malayta, 18, drowned in the Ross River near Kirwan in north Queensland on February 25, 2022.

It all started when Malayta's brother, Shakur McLennan, was high on methylamphetamine and convinced his younger brother to go for a drive in a stolen car in the early hours of February 24. Despite being aware of the risks, Malayta agreed, leaving a message for his sister to tell their mother that he loved her and would be back soon.

As they drove, the police spotted the stolen car and initiated a chase. The brothers attempted to escape by running towards the Ross River, where they ended up in the water. However, Malayta struggled to keep up with his brother while swimming and cried out for help, but it was too dark for McLennan to see or hear him.

Despite the efforts of the dog squad and a search that lasted more than 12 hours, Malayta's body was not found until the following day. A two-day inquest revealed that his cause of death was drowning and was not suspicious.

State Coroner Terry Ryan expressed his condolences to Malayta's family and acknowledged the enduring grief and trauma they have experienced. He also stated that the police's approach to the pursuit was appropriate and did not make any recommendations.

Ryan also understood McLennan's decision to run from the police and get into the river, considering his impaired judgment due to drugs and the intense pressure of being the one driving the stolen car.

After hearing all the evidence, the coroner concluded that Malayta's death was a tragic consequence of following his brother into the river to avoid being caught by the police. He extended his sympathy to the family and emphasized the importance of providing support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities during times of crisis. For 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, please contact 13YARN.

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