Human remains discovered near Leeman identified as missing person Shayne Gallager

Two weeks after skeletal remains were discovered in bushland in WA’s Mid West, police have formally identified the individual as a cray fisherman who had been missing for 17 years.

On Tuesday, a WA Police spokeswoman confirmed the remains had been identified as Shayne Gallager saying his next of kin had been notified.

The then 36-year-old had been listed as a missing person since September 30, 2003, and was last seen driving out of Leeman about 6pm in a 1978 red Nissan Patrol.

He had been living in the coastal town for eight years with his partner and two children, working as a deckhand on a crayfish boat prior to his disappearance.

At the time a ground and aerial search by police and local volunteers, along with posters appealing for information, provided no clues and he was formally listed as a missing person.

Nearly two decades later, his remains were found by members of the public in an abandoned vehicle deep in bushland about 20km south of Leeman.

The spokeswoman said a forensic examination had concluded his death was “not suspicious” and a report would be prepared for the State coroner.