😱 ‘The 1:05pm phone call held a hidden secret’ – Police drop bombshell new details in the heartbreaking case of missing WA FIFO worker Bill Carter…

He smiled for a selfie with his mum just minutes before vanishing from Perth Airport. Was headed to his mining job… but never boarded the flight. Instead, a mysterious taxi ride to a secluded beach, and now – a tragic end.

What did that final call reveal? Was it a cry for help no one heard? Family left devastated as questions swirl about mental health struggles in the tough FIFO world.

This one hits hard – full story will shock you. Scroll down NOW 👇

Western Australian police have released intriguing new information surrounding the disappearance of 25-year-old fly-in fly-out (FIFO) worker William “Bill” Patrick Carter, including details of a mysterious phone call made at 1:05pm on the day he vanished – a call that investigators say may hold a “hidden secret” into his state of mind before tragedy struck.

Carter, a slim-built young man with brown hair and blue eyes, was last seen alive after being dropped off at Perth Airport’s Terminal 3 by his mother, Jenny O’Byrne, around 12:40pm on December 6, 2025. The pair had shared a cheerful breakfast at a Dome cafe in Kelmscott earlier that morning, snapping a smiling selfie that O’Byrne later shared with Carter’s sister – an image that would become one of the last happy moments captured before his unexplained detour.

Carter was scheduled to board a 2:15pm flight to Karratha in the Pilbara region for his next swing at a mine site with Fenner Dunlop, where he worked a demanding 12-days-on, 9-days-off roster. But he never checked in. Instead, surveillance footage showed him lingering at the airport for about an hour and a half. At approximately 1:05pm, Carter made a phone call – details of which police have described as potentially pivotal, though they stopped short of revealing the recipient or content, citing the ongoing sensitive nature of the investigation.

Sources close to the case told reporters that the call lasted several minutes and appeared routine at first glance, but hindsight has cast it in a different light. “We’re looking closely at communications around that time,” a WA Police spokesperson said in a statement. “That 1:05pm call could provide insight into what was going through his mind.”

By 2:10pm, Carter had hailed a taxi from the airport and headed straight to Trigg Beach in Perth’s northern suburbs – a popular but often isolated spot known for its strong currents and rocky shores. He was dropped off near the Trigg Surf Life Saving Club and last spotted around 2:40pm on West Coast Drive, carrying only a small 5L backpack, dressed in a black t-shirt, shorts, and black-and-white sneakers.

For days, a massive search ensued. Family and friends flooded social media with pleas, highlighting Carter’s recent struggles. O’Byrne, a longtime nurse in Bunbury, spoke openly about her son’s mental health challenges. “He’d been dealing with some issues and had recently come off anti-anxiety medication,” she revealed in interviews. Carter had just returned from a family holiday in Zambia visiting his father, a trip meant to recharge him before returning to the grueling FIFO lifestyle.

His partner, Janae Williamson, echoed concerns, telling media that Carter was “vulnerable and at risk.” Reddit threads in r/perth exploded with speculation, users noting the toll of FIFO work – long hours, isolation, and precarious employment for contractors. “FIFO can be soul-destroying for a quiet guy,” one commenter wrote. Others urged checking on mates, highlighting men’s mental health stigma.

Police appeals went out wide: Carter was 174cm tall, fair-skinned, and described as reserved but “widely loved.” Grave fears grew as days passed without contact. He left most belongings at the mine site, carrying minimal supplies – unusual but not alarming initially for seasoned FIFO workers.

Then, on December 16 – 10 days after he vanished – the grim discovery. Search teams located a body in the waters near Trigg Beach. While formal identification was pending, police confirmed it was believed to be Carter. His death was not treated as suspicious, pointing toward a tragic accident or possible suicide amid mental health struggles.

The news devastated his tight-knit family. O’Byrne, along with Carter’s father and sister, released a statement expressing profound sadness. “As his mother, father, and sister, we are totally saddened by this,” O’Byrne said. She shared more photos of her son – beaming on beaches, with loved ones – wanting the world to remember him in happier times.

Complications arose posthumously when unauthorized GoFundMe pages surfaced, soliciting donations for funeral costs. O’Byrne publicly slammed them, stressing the family never consented. “We would never ask for money,” she insisted. “It’s troubling that people purporting to be close to Bill would do this so soon.”

Carter’s background painted a picture of a promising young life. Raised in Bunbury, he attended Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School, studied at Murdoch University, and pursued FIFO for its financial rewards despite the hardships. Friends remembered him as affable, grounded, and kind – a “quiet chap” who kept challenges inside.

The case has reignited debates over FIFO mental health support. Industry experts note high rates of anxiety and depression among workers due to isolation, roster fatigue, and separation from support networks. “It’s not for everyone,” one former miner commented online. Calls grew for better resources, with Lifeline and SANE Australia helplines shared widely.

WA Police closed the investigation swiftly after the body’s recovery, ruling out foul play. No note or manifesto was found, and the exact circumstances remain private out of respect for the family. The mysterious 1:05pm call – perhaps to a friend, colleague, or hotline – lingers as a haunting “what if,” a potential clue to unspoken pain.

In the aftermath, tributes poured in. Colleagues at Fenner Dunlop mourned a reliable worker. His partner Janae’s family, despite the GoFundMe controversy, expressed grief. Reddit users shifted from hope to remembrance: “Rest in peace… check on your mates.”

Carter’s story adds to Australia’s somber tally of missing persons cases ending in tragedy, particularly in coastal areas where rips claim lives annually. Trigg Beach, with its scenic views masking dangerous waters, became the unintended final chapter.

As Perth heads into the holiday season, Carter’s family prepares a private farewell. O’Byrne vowed to honor his memory by advocating for mental health awareness. “He was so loved,” she said. “We just want him remembered as the bright, kind young man he was.”

The selfie from that fateful morning – mother and son smiling over coffee – now serves as a poignant reminder: behind every routine drop-off can lurk unseen struggles. In FIFO country, where tough exteriors are the norm, Bill Carter’s case underscores the urgent need to talk, listen, and reach out.

Support services remain available: Lifeline at 13 11 14, beyondblue, or local mental health lines. For many, this tragedy is a wake-up call in an industry built on resilience but strained by silence.