Police investigating the mysterious outback disappearance of Paddy Moriarty say the case will not be closed until it's solved, after the NT coroner found the 70-year-old was "likely" killed in 2017.
Mr Moriarty was last seen at dusk on December 16, 2017, leaving the Larrimah Hotel with his dog Kellie.
Despite extensive searches, neither Mr Moriarty nor his kelpie have been seen since.
"Paddy and his dog Kellie literally disappeared without a trace on 16 December 2017.
"Murder investigations are challenging, particularly when there is no body. We need to find Paddy."
Northern Territory Coroner Greg Cavanagh today handed down his findings into the death of Mr Moriarty, referring the case back to police and the Director of Public Prosecutions, believing "offences may have been committed."
"In my opinion Paddy was killed in the context of and likely due to the ongoing feud he had with his nearest neighbours," Mr Cavanagh said.
Mr Moriarty's closest neighbours, Tea House owner Fran Hodgetts and her gardener Owen Laurie, have both previously denied having any involvement in his disappearance.
A $250,000 reward for information in relation to Mr Moriarty's death remains in place.
"Cases of this nature are never closed until they are solved," Detective Sergeant Allen said.
Closure for the community
Outside court today, some of Mr Moriarty's closest friends said they were surprised by the coroner's findings.
"It was a little upsetting I guess to hear it," Larrimah resident Karen Rayner said.
Larrimah resident and Ms Hodgetts's grandson Brent Cilia, who has taken over the running of her tea house, said the town had been shocked by the secret police recordings played during the inquest.
He said he hoped the information that had been aired would bring authorities a step closer to finding out what had happened to Mr Moriarty.
"I wish it could be solved right now," he said.
"I would love for that to happen, for everyone's sake."
Mr Cavanagh found a cause of death could not be determined at this time, and wrote in his findings that he could not make a finding or comment on whether a person could be guilty of an offence.
He referred the case to the Commissioner of Police and Director of Public Prosecutions.
