Greek coroner reveals new details in case of Australian Instagram model’s death

·

A Greek coroner was never provided with crucial footage that was reportedly taken moments before a young Australian Instagram model was found hanging from the back of a billionaire’s superyacht in Greece. 

Sinead McNamara, 20, was ruled to have committed suicide after her body was found on the Mayan Queen IV, in the Greek islands, in August 2018. 

The ruling came despite coroner Ilias Bogiokas admitting questions still remained about the case and that it was ‘closed too soon.’

The Daily Telegraph reported Ms McNamara had complained of a fight with someone on the yacht the day before her death, authorities had not inspected the vessel before it left port and the coroner never received footage showing Ms McNamara moments before her death.

“We don’t know if someone brought her into this situation, if there was a moral instigator,” Mr Bogiokas said in a translated interview.

Sinead McNamara toured the world before her tragic death. Picture: Instagram.

Ms McNamara, who was raised in Port Macquarie, NSW, had been on the trip of a lifetime, posting glamorous shots from her travels around the Mediterranean on the Mayan Queen IV, which was owned by Mexican mining billionaire Alberto Bailleres.

An autopsy revealed there were no traces of illegal drugs or alcohol in her system before she died.

Mr Bogiokas said that he continued to have nagging doubts about the case because there was no inspection of the yacht before it left Greece.

“Since no stimulant drugs such as cocaine or sedatives such as cannabis or heroin have been found after the toxicological analysis, it means that the girl was not under the influence of such substances,” he said.

“She had mental clarity and that she was most likely facing social problems and was (found herself) in a psychological impasse.”

Ilias Bogiokas, a coroner in Greece, who has more details on her death. Picture: News Network.

Ms McNamara had called her mother the day before she died and complained that she had a dispute with someone on the yacht.

It was understood that a witness from a nearby vessel saw Ms McNamara and there was an attempt to rescue her from an apparent suicide attempt.

Ms McNamara was found alive, approximately 15 minutes after the attempt, and was taken to a local hospital in Kefalonia.

She was then flown to a private clinic in Athens for treatment but died in hospital there.

The Greek Coastguard had allowed the yacht to leave Kefalonia after interviews with the crew members.

It is understood that there was footage of moments before Ms McNamara was found at 2am on August 30, 2018.

Sinead McNamara was holidaying on the yacht when she died. Picture: Instagram.

However that footage was never provided to the coroner, who found that the cause of death was suicide.

A source claimed that crew members said there were no concerns about Ms McNamara’s mental health before she died.

Neurosurgeon Panagiotis Sioutos, of the private clinic “YGEIA,” where Ms McNamara was treated, confirmed that she was transferred there.

He said her death was a “mysterious case” and that he did not know who had asked that she be transferred to the clinic.

However, Dr Sioutos said that she was clinically dead when she arrived.

Port authorities in Greece defended their handling of the case and said that all procedures had been followed.

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

Melbourne University Greek Association hosts third sold-out ball

For the third consecutive year, Melbourne University Greek Association (MUnGA) hosted its sold out university ball, held on Friday, 17 April.

Cyprus Community of NSW secures leading historian for major cultural launch in Sydney

Emilios A. Solomou will join the Cyprus Community of NSW via live link to launch the EOKA Struggle for Liberty Exhibition in Sydney.

Pontic music in focus as Matthaios Tsahouridis to lead Sydney workshop

The Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia is set to host a special workshop in Sydney featuring musician Matthaios Tsahouridis.

Why Australians of Cypriot descent are reclaiming their place in the ANZAC tradition

From Greece and Crete to North Africa and Rome, Cypriots fought alongside Australians and their descendants will march again this ANZAC Day.

Thebarton Hellenic Festival 2026 to unite culture, community and ANZAC tribute

The Thebarton Hellenic Festival 2026 will bring Adelaide together for a celebration of Greek culture, opening with an ANZAC Day tribute.

You May Also Like

Cyprus and Australia reaffirm strong ties in high-level meeting

President of Cyprus' House of Representatives Annita Demetriou met with Australia’s new High Commissioner to Cyprus, Emily Pugin on Tuesday.

Greeks to spend Christmas in lockdown after restrictions extended until January 7

Greece on Monday extended its lockdown measures until January 7 to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Registrations now open for the ‘Certificate of Attainment in Greek Language’ exams 

Registrations for the examinations for the 2025 Certificate of Attainment in Greek language are now open and will take place in May this year.