Zac Barnes’ ultimate phrases to witness earlier than lacking teenager vanished into the bushland close to Thornton, NSW, with no hint: coronial inquest

The final pal to see lacking teenager Zac Barnes alive has recalled the ultimate moments the pair shared collectively within the automotive earlier than he vanished into bushland with no hint. 

Zac, 18, was final seen getting out of a pal’s automotive heading into bushland close to Thornton prepare station within the NSW Hunter area shortly earlier than 8pm on November 13, 2016.

The Metford teen did not have his cellphone or pockets with him and was sporting a light blue singlet, blue board shorts and work boots.

He hasn’t been seen or heard from since. His cellphone and social media accounts stay inactive since that point.

Zac is presumed lifeless with no sightings because the evening he was final seen on November 13 2016.

Matt Hindwood and his then-partner Courtney Jones, the final folks to see Zac, recalled the encounter on the second day of the coroner’s inquest on Tuesday.

Zac Barnes, 18, (pictured) was final seen getting out of a pal’s automotive heading into bushland close to Thornton prepare station within the NSW Hunter area on the night of November 13, 2016

Matt Hindwood (pictured) was one of many final folks to see Zac and recalled the encounter on the second day of the coroner’s inquest on Tuesday

Zac spent the earlier 48 hours at their residence after shedding his job on the Friday.

‘He was upset and did not appear himself,’ Mr Hindwood advised the inquest.

Later that night, Ms Jone drove Zac to an deal with in Woodberry so he might purchase medicine however later returned residence empty handed.

Zac spent the following two days at their residence consuming and smoking hashish.

On the Sunday evening, Zac turned agitated when a feminine pal visited the house, telling him that  his mom and the police have been in search of him. 

Mr Hindwood and Ms Jones tried to calm Zac down and a short while later acquired within the automotive with them and requested to be dropped off at East Maitland prepare station.

In the course of the drive, he requested to be taken to Thornton as a substitute however on Hausmann Drive close to Tripp Shut, turned agitated and requested them to cease the automotive.

‘He grabbed the again of the seat and shook it,’ Mr Hindwood advised the inquest.

The pair then spent 5 minutes having a cigarette collectively.

‘He was beginning to settle down,’ Mr Hindwood recalled.

‘He stated ‘I will see a mate up the highway’ and that I would see him tomorrow and to do not stress.’ 

‘He gave me a hug and stated ‘I am going to see you tomorrow.’

He stated he noticed Zac go into bushland.

‘He lived one suburb down and knew he had a number of mates within the space so I wasn’t overly apprehensive,’ Mr Hindwood stated.

Zac’s mom Karen Gudelj and stepfather Michael have been in attendance for a second day, supported by his older brother Cody and youthful sisters Makayla and Mia. Members of his household are pictured outdoors Lidcombe Coroners’ Court docket the place the inquest is being held

The following day, he went to work It comes after the primary day of the inquest heard harrowing particulars about Zac’s ultimate days earlier than he vanished.

Within the days main as much as his disappearance, he misplaced his job after an altercation with a colleague at work.

Zac additionally requested for $1,200 from his dad and mom to assist to repay a debt he owed and despatched a chilling Snapchat message to a pal which merely stated ‘Lifeless’.

Questions have been additionally raised in regards to the urgency from police to seek out Zac after his mum Karen Gudelj and stepfather Michael reported him lacking the following day

Detective Senior Constable Christopher Walker took over as officer-in-charge of the investigation eight days in a while November 21 2016, which coincided with the primary giant scale police seek for Zac.

It might be one other two months earlier than police canine have been known as in whereas police divers weren’t deployed to scour native dams till one other two months after that in late March 2017.

Det Sr Const Walker advised the court docket no danger evaluation finished into the urgency of the search surrounding Zac’s disappearance.

Zac’s mom and stepfather have been in attendance for a second day, supported by his older brother Cody and youthful sisters Makayla and Mia.

Deputy state coroner Carmel Forbes advised Zac’s household on the opening of the inquest they’d be given a chance to ‘deliver the person to life’ on the finish of proof,

Zac Barnes (rear left) wasn’t himself after shedding his job on the Friday, the inquest heard

The final mates to see lacking Zac Barnes (pictured) alive has recalled {the teenager}’s ultimate  earlier than he vanished with out hint into bushland

Zac’s household hope the inquest will lastly deliver the solutions the spent the final seven years looking for.

‘That is the day we have for preventing for a very long time and we’re hoping to get some solutions,’ Ms Gudelj advised reporters outdoors court docket on Monday.

‘It is an vital first step to attending to the reality what occurred to Zac. We’re hoping to deliver our boy residence, whether or not he is alive or not.’

‘We simply should be affected person and we stay up for seeing what occurs tomorrow and the next day.

Zac can be 25 if he was nonetheless alive right now.

The inquest is predicted to proceed earlier than deputy state coroner Carmel Forbes till Wednesday.

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