Investigators are zeroing in on a critical new piece of evidence in the disappearance of Gold Coast fisherman Ashley “Ash” Haigh: his mobile phone, last detected within a narrow 3-kilometer offshore corridor. The 44-year-old experienced game fisherman vanished on Thursday, February 5, 2026, during what was intended as a solo marlin fishing trip off the Gold Coast. His black half-cabin pleasure craft was discovered unmanned about 46 kilometers offshore near Burleigh Heads early Friday morning, February 6, triggering an intensive multi-agency search that spanned over 1,800 square nautical miles across Queensland and northern New South Wales waters.

Haigh’s family has emphasized that the phone was a constant companion—he never left it behind, especially at sea. This detail has elevated the device’s final ping to a pivotal focus for authorities. The signal, captured in a confined 3km zone offshore, suggests a precise location where activity ceased abruptly. Forensic teams are now attempting to extract any recoverable data from the device, including call logs, messages, location history, or even sensor information that might indicate movement, submersion, or impact. While the phone itself has not been physically recovered, telecommunications records and triangulation data have provided this crucial lead, narrowing the search area amid vast ocean expanses.

The disappearance began when Haigh failed to return to Runaway Bay Marina by around 7 p.m. on Thursday. His boat, equipped with standard safety gear, was found intact but empty, with two fishing rods missing and one life jacket unaccounted for. Keys remained in the ignition but turned off, and his wallet was later located in his vehicle onshore, ruling out immediate foul play theories but deepening the mystery. An inactive Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) registered to Haigh was discovered floating 14 nautical miles (about 25 kilometers) off Ballina on Saturday, February 7. The device, which failed to activate, further shifted the operation from search-and-rescue to recovery phase by Sunday, February 8.

Despite the transition, the phone data pursuit reflects ongoing hope for answers. The 3km corridor aligns roughly with currents and drift patterns from the boat’s discovery site, potentially indicating where Haigh entered the water or where the phone separated from him. Marine experts note that mobile signals can persist briefly in open water before devices succumb to saltwater or depth, making this ping a rare but vital timestamp. Family statements reinforce the phone’s significance: Haigh relied on it for communication, navigation apps, and emergency contacts during trips, making its sudden silence a chilling marker of his final moments.

Haigh was a well-known and beloved figure in the Gold Coast fishing community—a dedicated family man, husband, and father renowned for his skill in targeting big game fish like marlin. Friends described him as cautious and experienced, unlikely to take unnecessary risks on calm seas that day. The unmanned boat discovery raised questions about a possible medical event, accidental fall overboard, or other unforeseen incident. No signs of struggle or external interference have been reported, though the missing rods and life jacket continue to puzzle investigators.

The search mobilized significant resources: Queensland Police, water police vessels, marine rescue groups, helicopters, and even cross-border cooperation extending south to Yamba. Aerial and sea sweeps covered vast areas, but no further items or signs of life emerged beyond the EPIRB. The suspension of active search efforts has devastated loved ones, who launched a GoFundMe to support Haigh’s wife and children amid the grief.

This latest focus on the phone underscores the emotional toll on the family. Their insistence that the device “never left his side” at sea suggests they believe it holds the key to understanding what happened—perhaps a final message, photo, or GPS trail that could pinpoint the exact tragedy. As experts attempt data recovery, the corridor remains a focal point, with hopes that forensic analysis might reveal more about Haigh’s last actions.

The case has gripped Australia, highlighting the perils of solo offshore fishing even for seasoned mariners. Authorities continue to urge caution, emphasizing life jackets, EPIRB activation, and regular check-ins. For Haigh’s community, the silent phone signal represents both a heartbreaking endpoint and a lingering thread of hope for closure.

As the investigation persists through technical recovery efforts, the 3km ping stands as a poignant reminder of how quickly the sea can claim even the most prepared. Haigh’s story, marked by love for family and passion for the ocean, leaves a void that no data recovery can fully fill—but it may yet provide the answers his loved ones desperately seek.