Editor’s note: While police are yet to confirm the human remains found inside the crocodile are those of the missing 60-year-old man, Cape York Weekly has decided not to publish his first name out of respect for the family and cultural protocols, and refer to him as Waal Waal Yunkaporta.
The search for a 60-year-old Aurukun man missing for more than a week has taken a tragic turn after human remains were located inside a large saltwater crocodile in the nearby Watson River on Friday night.
Police confirmed on 8 February the remains had been discovered as part of a recovery effort to locate Waal Waal Yunkaporta, who was reported missing after last being seen leaving his house in the western Cape York community at about 12pm on 30 January.
It is believed he intended to go fishing at the mouth of the Ward, Watson and Archer rivers.
Police and wildlife officers located the four-metre crocodile along Watson River on 7 February, where it was humanely euthanised, with forensic testing finding human remains inside the reptile.
Further testing will be conducted to identify the remains.
A spokesperson for the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation said the euthanised animal was “very distinguishable” due to its dark skin colouration when compared to other large crocodiles in the area.
An official update circulated by Aurukun Shire Council last week and seen by Cape York Weekly said there was “no indication of any wrongdoing by another person” and that police believed the missing man may have “suffered either a serious health condition or crocodile attack”.
Police said on Saturday afternoon the missing man’s family and the council had been advised about the discovery of human remains inside the crocodile.
A family member of the missing man, who asked not to be named, said the Aurukun community was preparing for the worst.
“It is very sad,” they said.
“We are praying and asking God for a miracle but we think that person in the pikkuw (saltwater crocodile) is probably him (the missing man).”