Young man disoriented, inquest told

Volunteers scour the area where Cem Erbay was last seen. Photo / Christine Cornege

Cem Erbay's last known movements paint a picture of a disoriented young man miles from home whom witnesses thought was nursing a New Year's hangover.

A coroner's inquest into the 19-year-old's death continued in the High Court at Hamilton yesterday with several witnesses saying how they saw the bachelor of arts student in Matarangi on the morning of January 1 confused and trying to find his way home.

Mr Erbay, who had spent New Year's Eve at a party with friends in Whitianga, was supposed to return to his friend's parents' home at Wharekaho but got separated from him as they walked home on the morning of January 1.

The inquest heard earlier how he had to give up sport because of a heart condition and was not supposed to over-exert himself.

Witnesses reported seeing him several kilometres away at Kuaotunu Beach around 6.30am before he somehow made it to Matarangi Beach.

There he approached Natalie Graafhuis and her fiance Craig Richer, who had been walking their dog, asking for directions back to Wharekaho.

Ms Graafhuis said she pointed the way and said it shouldn't be a problem hitching a ride to the beach about 20km south of Matarangi with the number of cars travelling that way.

"He was very polite, quite tired and in hindsight you could say disoriented which I took as him being hungover but not in any pain."

Mr Erbay then went to a Matarangi store where he bought a packet of Mallowpuffs, a blue Powerade and a bottle of water.

Brett Way and his son saw Mr Erbay lying in a reserve known by locals as Duck Pond about 10.40am trying to get comfortable.

He said he looked "totally out of place" and noticed a white plastic shopping bag next to him.

He saw the bag there the following day and - annoyed he didn't dispose of it - went to have a look.

"I felt something wasn't right and I started to think it was foul play. I went for a scout around at the edge of the bush ... I didn't want to find the body."

In statements read out witnesses also saw Mr Erbay lying in the reserve and at least two people approached him to ask him how he was.

Mr Erbay's mother Sharon Harvey later questioned the witnesses present at the inquest asking if they noticed any possible injuries he had sustained.

Ms Harvey told the court Mr Erbay had suffered an injury to his jaw, four broken ribs and a punctured lung.

A pathologist's report said his injuries were possibly the result of a fall and combined with his heart condition probably caused his death.

The inquest, being heard by acting chief coroner Gordon Matenga, concludes today with pathologist Dr Jane Vuletic to give a statement.

CEM ERBAY'S FINAL MOVEMENTS

January 14am: Cem Erbay walks home from a party with his friend Wilhelm Killip. The pair separate at a stream at Wharekaho Beach but Mr Killip thinks his friend has made it home safely and goes to bed.

6.30am: Kay Smith sees Mr Erbay at Kuaotunu Beach. She says hello but he doesn't respond.

9.30am: A disoriented Mr Erbay, now at Matarangi, asks Natalie Graafhuis and Craig Richer for directions to Wharekaho Beach. He then buys a packet of Mallowpuffs, a Powerade and a bottle of water.

10.40am: Brett Way sees Mr Erbay lying in a reserve known as Duck Pond at Matarangi. He notices his white shopping bag at his side.

2pm: Wilhelm Killip raises the alarm with police to say his friend is missing.

January 2

Mr Way is annoyed Mr Erbay has left the white bag behind but gets a bad feeling when he finds drink and uneaten Mallowpuffs in the bag. He makes a statement to police that morning about 9.30am.

January 3

A search and rescue team finds Mr Erbay's lifeless body near the reserve in a pine plantation at 3.23pm.