Inquest finds 'no breakthrough' into mysterious death of Indigenous teen

The death of an Indigenous teenager, whose body was discovered on railway tracks in northern NSW more than 38 years ago, remains a mystery despite a coronial inquest that stretched over 24 days.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains the name and photos of an Indigenous person who has died, used with the permission of their family.

NSW Police initially concluded 17-year-old Mark Anthony Haines was responsible for his own death, after his body was found on a barren stretch of train tracks a few kilometres south of Tamworth on January 16, 1988.

But the Gomeroi teenager's family has always maintained he did not lie down on the tracks and wait to die, but was put there.

Through multiple police investigations and two previous coronial inquests, its view has never changed.

Today NSW Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame handed down her findings from a fresh inquest that began in April 2024 and wrapped up in mid-October 2025.

"I had hoped in conducting this inquest, we would have a point of greater clarity. It is a matter of personal regret this hasn't been achieved," she told the Tamworth Corners Court.

"I am aware of the all-consuming impact and anger that Mark's death has had on [his family] for almost 40 years.

"I am sorry there is no breakthrough."

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Judge Grahame said she was "confident" in the evidence that had been presented to the inquest, but said it was "highly likely that people in the community have knowledge of this case and have not shared it with police".

"It is a frustrating realisation, and I acknowledge that it offers no comfort to those who love Mark," she said.

Judge Grahame drew particular attention to the evidence provided by Glen Mannion, saying there were aspects of his behaviour she found "unusual".

"Glenn is said to be one of [Mr Haines's] best friends, but he was shown a lack of interest since his death to find more answers," she said.

"I doubt Glenn Mannion has been fully open with this court.

"Despite his emphatic denials, I remain unconvinced Mr Mannion has shared with this court all he knows."

Donald Craigie told the inquest he took responsibility for finding out how his nephew died.

"We knew our Mark and we know he didn't walk out on those tracks that day," he said.

"We believe Mark met with foul play, and someone out there knows.

"Mark got the death sentence, but the family got the life sentence."

Lorna Haines told the court about the effect her brother's death had on the family.

"The police knocked on the door and told us, the world stood still and Mum dropped to the floor crying, I too starting crying ... and Ron couldn't control himself," she said.

Ron Haines said his parents "were never the same" after his brother's death.

"Losing Mark still impacts us greatly," he said.

"We do not believe Mark put himself on the tracks intentionally.

"We believe if he was a white boy, this would have been investigated more [thoroughly] ."

Judge Grahame came to a similar conclusion.

"I find it unlikely that such a superficial investigation would have taken place if it was a white boy on those train tracks,"

she said.

Suicide ruled out

Judge Grahame found the 17-year-old died of traumatic head injuries "in suspicious circumstances".

"But those circumstances are unknown," she said.

"I am satisfied it was not of his own doing."

The Deputy State Coroner recommended the case be referred to the NSW Police Unsolved Homicide Squad for further investigation.

"There are unanswered questions," she said.

"I do not know the circumstances that led to Mark [being] on the tracks, but I can rule out suicide."