In a devastating blow to a Perth family and the tight-knit FIFO community, the heartbroken mother of 25-year-old William “Bill” Carter has broken her silence following the confirmation of his death, revealing how the demanding fly-in fly-out lifestyle slowly eroded the joyful spirit of her once-happy son. Jenny O’Byrne, who shared a final breakfast and selfie with Bill just hours before he vanished, spoke candidly about the changes she saw in him after years in the mining industry—long shifts, isolation, and mounting pressures that left him vulnerable and struggling.

The tragedy unfolded on December 6, 2025, when Ms O’Byrne dropped her son at Perth Airport’s Terminal 3 around 12:40pm for his flight to a Pilbara site near Karratha. The pair had enjoyed a relaxed brunch at a Kelmscott cafe, snapping a cheerful selfie that Ms O’Byrne later described as capturing Bill at his best. “That photo was taken just as we left the Dome cafe… about 12:20pm,” she recalled in earlier interviews. But Bill never boarded the plane. Instead, after lingering at the airport for about an hour and a half, he hailed a taxi around 2:10pm and headed straight to Trigg Beach in Perth’s northern suburbs.

He was last seen near the Trigg Surf Life Saving Club about 2:40pm, carrying a small backpack, dressed in a black t-shirt, shorts, and black-and-white sneakers. Concerns grew quickly when his employer confirmed he hadn’t shown up for his shift. Family and police launched an urgent search, with grave fears for his welfare amid reports of recent mental health challenges.

Ten agonizing days later, on December 16, WA Police delivered the grim news: A body believed to be Bill’s had been located near Trigg Beach. Formal identification was pending, but authorities stated there were no suspicious circumstances, and a report was being prepared for the coroner. The discovery brought a tragic close to the search but opened fresh wounds for his loved ones.

Ms O’Byrne, speaking out days after the confirmation, shared cherished photos of Bill to honor his memory—images of him beaming on holidays with his dad and sister in Zambia, or sitting happily on a beach rock. “This is a really happy one,” she said of one snapshot, emphasizing the vibrant young man he used to be. Bill, described by those who knew him as a “quiet, affable chap,” had faced “some challenges” lately, his mum noted. The FIFO grind—weeks away from home, grueling rosters, and the emotional isolation of remote sites—had taken its toll, changing the joyful son she once knew.

This isn’t an isolated story. Western Australia’s mining boom relies on around 60,000 FIFO workers, many enduring unique hardships that experts link to higher rates of mental health issues, relationship strain, and suicide. Advocates have long called for better support—on-site counseling, shorter swings, and employer mandates for wellness checks. Bill’s case has reignited those conversations, with community members on social media mourning yet another young life lost to the industry’s shadows. “FIFO too, it’s not a place for people that need a good support system,” one Reddit user commented during the search.

In her statement, Ms O’Byrne also addressed unauthorized GoFundMe pages set up in Bill’s name, urging the public not to donate. “We are totally saddened by this,” she said, stressing her family would never seek money and expressing concern over pages implying their consent so soon after the loss. Instead, she thanked the community for their search efforts and overwhelming support.

Bill leaves behind his mum Jenny, dad, sister, partner Janae Williamson, and countless friends shocked by the sudden void. Tributes highlight a slim-built, blue-eyed young man with brown hair who loved family time and the occasional beach escape—ironically, his final destination. Neighbors and FIFO mates remember his easygoing nature, while his recent holiday photos show a guy still capable of big smiles amid personal struggles.

The Perth community has rallied with quiet vigils and messages of condolence, as the broader FIFO world reflects on preventable tragedies. Mental health groups like MATES in Construction and Beyond Blue are pushing for change, noting break periods and returns home as high-risk times. Bill’s story underscores the human cost: A son dropped off for work, diverted to a beach, and never coming home.

Police continue inquiries, but the focus now shifts to healing for his family. Ms O’Byrne’s words linger—”He was once so happy”—a poignant reminder of what the job stole, and a plea for better safeguards so no other mum endures this pain.

Australia’s mining heartland mourns another loss, but Bill Carter’s legacy could spark real reform. His final selfie with mum, full of promise, now serves as a haunting symbol of joy interrupted.