Coronial Inquest Hears Matthew Inquest ‘Died From Overdose’

The Glebe Coroner’s court heard yesterday that Matthew Leveson’s body was buried in bushland after his boyfriend Michael Atkins found the 20-year-old dead at home following a suspected drug overdose.

Detective Inspector Gary Jubelin told the inquest into Mr Leveson’s disappearance that Mr Atkins gave a 21-page statement to police to help locate Mr Leveson’s remains, in exchange for immunity from perjury charges.

As Det Insp read the statement, the sobs of Matthew’s mother Faye Leveson could be heard in the courtroom.

The Court heard that the couple had a "falling out" at Sydney nightclub ARQ during the early hours of Sunday September 23, 2007, after which they returned home.

Mr Atkins told officers he slept in the lounge room and found Mr Leveson dead in their bed in the morning, with a bottle of drugs in the kitchen leading Mr Atkins to speculate an overdose had caused his death.

Mr Atkins was acquitted of the murder and manslaughter of Mr Leveson in 2009.

The inquest heard Mr Atkins underwent hypnosis to help locate Mr Leveson’s body, after two unsuccessful police searches.

The remains of Mr Leveson were found during a third search on May 31.

While Mr Atkins did not appear at the Glebe Coroner's Court on this occasion, he could be required to attend at some point.