Tragic end in search for missing FIFO worker

William Carter vanished after he was dropped off at Perth Airport.

Police have found the body of a man believed to be missing fly-in fly-out worker William Carter, who vanished after he was dropped off at Perth Airport.

Jenny O’Byrne had breakfast with her son William Carter, also known as Bill, then dropped him off at Terminal 3 about 12.40pm on December 6.

Jenny O’Byrne had breakfast with her son William Carter before dropping him off at the airport.

Mr Carter never boarded his flight. Picture: Supplied

It later emerged he ordered a taxi about an hour-and-a-half later and was dropped off at Trigg beach, in Perth’s northern suburbs.

The 25-year-old was last seen near the local surf club on West Coast Dr about 2.40pm.

He had been due to board a flight to his job at a site near Karratha later that day, but never did.

Police confirmed on Tuesday that a body had been found.

The 25-year-old was last seen near the local surf club.

Trigg beach, where Mr Carter was last spotted. Picture: Google Street View

“Formal identification is yet to be completed but it is believed to be 25-year-old man William Carter, who went missing on Saturday, December 6,” a spokesperson said.

“His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.”

Mr Carter’s mother had previously told reporters her son had been “going through a situational crisis” and there had been some mental health concerns.

The Tragic Disappearance and Discovery of William Carter: A FIFO Worker’s Final Journey to Trigg Beach

On December 6, 2025, 25-year-old William Patrick Carter, known affectionately as Bill to his family and friends, began what seemed like a routine day. A fly-in fly-out (FIFO) worker in Western Australia’s booming mining industry, Carter was scheduled to return to his job site in the Pilbara region after time off in Perth. His mother, Jenny O’Byrne, dropped him off at Perth Airport’s Terminal 3 around 12:40 pm, following a pleasant breakfast together in Kelmscott. They even posed for a selfie – a moment that would later become one of the last happy memories for his loved ones.

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William Carter: FIFO worker who disappeared after failing to board flight found dead

William Carter smiling with his mother shortly before his disappearance.

But Carter never boarded his flight. Instead, after lingering at the airport for approximately an hour and a half, he hailed a taxi around 2:10 pm and asked to be taken to Trigg Beach, a popular coastal spot in Perth’s northern suburbs. He arrived there shortly after and was last seen near the Trigg Surf Life Saving Club around 2:40 pm, carrying only a small backpack, dressed in a black t-shirt, shorts, and black-and-white sneakers. From that point onward, William Carter vanished, triggering a desperate search that gripped the community and highlighted the hidden struggles faced by many in the demanding FIFO lifestyle.

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Perth Airport: Terminal 3 Domestic / International – AviationWA

Perth Airport Terminal 3, where Carter was dropped off but did not check in for his flight.

The initial timeline raised immediate alarms. Carter, described by his family as a quiet, affable young man with brown hair, blue eyes, a slim build, and standing about 174 cm tall, was not the type to simply disappear without contact. His partner, Janae Williamson, confirmed with his employer that he never arrived at the work site. Police quickly established that he had not scanned a boarding pass or checked any luggage, fueling concerns for his welfare. As days passed without sightings or communication, the case evolved from a standard missing persons inquiry into one marked by serious mental health worries.

Carter’s mother spoke publicly about her son’s recent challenges. He had been dealing with anxiety and had stopped taking his medication about five months prior. “He’s a very quiet affable chap, he’s someone that everybody enjoys, he’s not loud and garish,” O’Byrne told reporters. She emphasized that his behavior was out of character and that the pressures of life – exacerbated by the isolating nature of FIFO work – may have played a role. The festive season, often a time of heightened loneliness, added another layer of concern.

The revelation that Carter had diverted to Trigg Beach came as a shock. Why would a young man headed to a remote mining camp suddenly choose a beach destination? Trigg Beach, with its stunning white sands, clear turquoise waters, and reputation as a surfing hotspot, is a place of beauty and relaxation for many Perth residents. But on that summer afternoon, it became the final confirmed location in Carter’s story.

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Views of Trigg Beach, the last place William Carter was seen alive.

Police appeals for information focused on dashcam footage from the airport area or along the route to Trigg, as well as any sightings near the surf club. The community rallied, with social media posts on platforms like Reddit’s r/perth subreddit sharing details and expressing hope mixed with dread. Many commenters noted the unfortunate pattern of missing persons cases in Perth involving coastal locations, particularly beaches where individuals facing personal crises might seek solitude.

The FIFO industry, while lucrative, is notorious for its toll on mental health. Workers endure long swings – often weeks on site followed by shorter breaks at home – in remote, harsh environments. Isolation, irregular sleep, high-pressure work, and separation from support networks contribute to elevated rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide among FIFO employees. Carter’s case resonated deeply, sparking discussions about the need for better mental health resources in the sector. His family highlighted how his quiet nature might have masked deeper struggles, a common issue where individuals suffer in silence.

As the search intensified over the following days, involving coastal patrols, ground searches around Trigg and surrounding areas, and public pleas, hope began to fade. On December 15, 2025 – just nine days after his disappearance – Western Australia Police delivered devastating news: a body had been located during ongoing searches. Formal identification was pending, but authorities believed it to be William Carter. Crucially, police stated that the death was not being treated as suspicious, and a report would be prepared for the coroner.

This outcome, while tragic, brought a form of closure to a case that had puzzled investigators and the public alike. The timeline – from airport drop-off, to unexplained detour to the beach, to no further contact – never fully “added up” in the sense of foul play or abduction. Early speculations ranged from voluntary disappearance to accident, but the non-suspicious classification points toward a personal crisis culminating at the beach.

In the absence of any reported “long-overlooked witness” dramatically altering the investigation (searches across major news outlets and social media yield no such development as of December 17, 2025), the key insight appears to be the confirmation that Carter was alone in his final movements. Taxi records and any potential CCTV or bystander recollections placed him unaccompanied at Trigg Beach, deepening the mystery of his state of mind while underscoring the solitude of his decision.

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Typical FIFO accommodation in the Pilbara, illustrating the remote and isolating environment Carter was due to return to.

Carter’s story has prompted renewed calls for mental health support in the mining industry. Family members and online commentators urged checking in on mates, seeking help, and recognizing the signs of struggle. Reddit threads mourning his passing amassed hundreds of comments, with many sharing personal experiences of FIFO’s emotional demands: “FIFO too, it’s not a place for people that need a good support system,” one user wrote.

In the end, the mystery of William Carter’s disappearance resolves not with a chilling twist or overlooked testimony, but with profound sadness. A young man, facing unseen battles, chose a path that led to a beautiful beach on a summer day – and never returned. His case serves as a stark reminder of the human cost behind Australia’s resource boom and the importance of compassion in high-stress professions.

The investigation continues through the coronial process, but for Carter’s family, friends, and the wider community, the focus now shifts to remembrance and advocacy. Rest in peace, Bill Carter.