Antonio Saliba's mystery death to be investigated by coronerBy Bryn WakefieldABC Tropical NorthTopic:Courts1h ago1 hours agoWed 7 May 2025 at 4:39amAntonio Saliba. (Supplied: Danny Meares)In short:Queensland attorney general Deb Frecklington has directed the state coroner to investigate the death of a Mackay billiard hall owner in 1983.Antonio Saliba's death was mentioned during the Fitzgerald Inquiry into police corruption.What happens next?The timeframe for the investigation will be determined by the state coroner.abc.net.au/news/antonio-saliba-death-fitzgerald-inquiry-coroner-investigation/105262800Link copiedShareShare articleThe death of a Mackay billiard hall owner in the 1980s that was raised in the Fitzgerald Inquiry will be investigated by the state coroner.Antonio Saliba, 45, was found dead in 1983 on his hobby farm at Camerons Pocket, near Calen in north Queensland in what police initially said was a horse-riding accident.Mr Saliba's family maintained he was murdered and new information from his nephew Danny Meares has led to a coronial investigation into the death."I believe the information they have provided to me raises sufficient questions and concerns about the death of Mr Saliba," Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said."My thoughts are with Antonio's family, who have shared with me the grief and unanswered questions they have faced over the past 40 years."Fitzgerald Inquiry hears about deathMr Saliba, known as "Burra", operated a billiard saloon in Wood Street, Mackay, where Mr Meares said illegal card games were played.Danny Meares. (Supplied: Danny Meares)In a 1990 media report, Mr Saliba's brother Gerald was reported as giving evidence to the Fitzgerald Inquiry against corrupt police and said his brother "used to pay them to protect his prostitution and gambling interests in Mackay".Gerald Saliba was quoted as saying he had been told his brother had been held at gunpoint and hit with a hammer.Family detective work Mr Meares has been looking into his uncle's death for the past six months.He said that, on that fateful day, his uncle had been doing fencing work and when he failed to return, the farm caretakers raised the alarm."All the guys from the billiard saloon went out looking and found his body, which was in a mess," he said.Mr Meares said the family never believed it was a horse-riding accident."We always knew that it wasn't, and a lot of people in Mackay know the story. I think he was set up."Mr Meares said he has passed on information he has uncovered over the past six months to the Attorney-General and welcomed the coronial investigation."Six months ago, I decided I was going to try to see if we could get somewhere," he said."It's taken a few months, but it was great news to hear from the Attorney-General."Antonio Saliba, left, with family. (Supplied: Danny Meares)Mr Meares said the family hoped for justice and answers, particularly for his uncle's two remaining brothers."They're in their 80s now and in declining health, so we're hoping to get some closure for them before it's too late."Posted 1h ago1 hours agoWed 7 May 2025 at 4:39amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesGreens leaderless after Adam Bandt defeated in MelbourneBREAKINGPhoto shows Bandt sits with his hand on his chin.Wilson takes parting shot at Daniel in a teary victory speechTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A man in a grey jacket and white collared shirt smiles in front of a crowd dressed in blue shirts that say "Tim Wilson".Peter Dutton lands in Canberra as Coalition MPs divide on nuclear policyLIVEPhoto shows Peter Dutton walks through an airport with microphones and cameras surrounding him.Multiple fatalities after retaliatory strikes between India and Pakistan, officials sayLIVEPhoto shows A man rides his motorbike through rubble in the darkFull-scale war looms 'if missiles start raining' between India, PakistanTopic:ExplainerPhoto shows Debris of an aircraft lie at the backyard of a house in KashmirPopular nowGreens leaderless after Adam Bandt defeated in MelbourneBREAKINGPhoto shows Bandt sits with his hand on his chin.Wilson takes parting shot at Daniel in a teary victory speechTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A man in a grey jacket and white collared shirt smiles in front of a crowd dressed in blue shirts that say "Tim Wilson".Peter Dutton lands in Canberra as Coalition MPs divide on nuclear policyLIVEPhoto shows Peter Dutton walks through an airport with microphones and cameras surrounding him.Related topicsCorruptionCourtsMackayPoliceTop StoriesBreaking: Greens leaderless after Adam Bandt defeated in MelbourneTopic:Australian GreensPhoto shows Bandt sits with his hand on his chin.Wilson takes parting shot at Daniel in a teary victory speechTopic:ElectionsPeter Dutton lands in Canberra as Coalition MPs divide on nuclear policyTopic:ElectionsMultiple fatalities after retaliatory strikes between India and Pakistan, officials sayTopic:Unrest, Conflict and WarFull-scale war looms 'if missiles start raining' between India, PakistanTopic:ExplainerJust InDoctors on the brink: Burnout, unsafe shifts, and a system in collapse Topic:Doctors and Medical Professionals4m ago4 minutes agoWed 7 May 2025 at 6:29amWater gushed for weeks before McCrae landslide, inquiry toldTopic:Landslides19m ago19 minutes agoWed 7 May 2025 at 6:15amBeloved Darwin grocer honoured at public funeral after fatal stabbingTopic:Funerals and Memorial Services28m ago28 minutes agoWed 7 May 2025 at 6:06amBudget-friendly breakfast ideas for Mother's DayTopic:Recipes34m ago34 minutes agoWed 7 May 2025 at 5:59amMore Just InBack to top