DYLAN'S HAUNTING FINAL MOMENTS BEFORE DISAPPEARING IN A CROC-INFESTED RIVER - AS HIS PARTNER REVEALS HOW HIS KEYS, SHOES AND PHONE SPARKED THE DEVASTATING DISCOVERY OF HIS BODY
- Dylan Leschke was a keen fisherman in Normanton, FNQ
- His body was found in the croc-infested Norman River
- His partner has revealed final haunting moments
The haunting final moments of a young father who disappeared in a crocodile-infested river in the Gulf of Carpentaria has been revealed after the devastating discovery of his body.
The partner of Dylan Leschke, 33, has described how the keen fisherman's keys, shoes and phone were found after he was reported missing last Monday near the Captain WH Norman Bridge in Normanton.
The Normanton local, who comes originally from Victoria but was living in the Far North Queensland town with partner Desiree Callope and their young son, regularly fished the spot on the Norman River.
The location of his empty vehicle, and then his belongings, sparked serious concerns and then a police search on foot and in boats and helicopters.
Around 7pm on Tuesday, Mr Leschke's body was sadly located in the river, confirming Ms Callope's worst fears.
She said the last time she spoke to Dylan had been on Sunday evening, the night before he vanished.
'I kissed him goodnight and told him I loved him,' Ms Callope said, the Courier Mail reported.
Early the next morning, her father saw Dylan taking the dogs for a walk before he went missing later the same day.
She said authorities hadn't ruled out yet if his death could be considered suspicious, and police are awaiting the results of a post-mortem to determine the cause of death.
'No words can explain the pain of losing your partner,' Ms Callope said.
'I don't know what's happened, but I just can't see my partner leaving his son, leaving me, leaving his home, his dogs, his business, and everything he's worked so hard for.
'Dylan was well respected and admired everywhere he went; he didn't have a mean bone in his body,' Ms Callope said.
'I honestly can't see how this could happen to the most amazing, intelligent, sweet, loving person I met.
'He had never shown signs of hurt or pain he was going through. He was a strong man.'
Mr Leschke's passion for fishing in the Gulf and what he calls 'the mighty Norman river' can be seen on his social media pages, which also have dozens of images of him pig hunting.
Originally from Swan Hill in Victoria, Mr Lesckhe's parents visited him in Normanton six months ago during which he and his father Mick also went out fishing.
Specialist police have been deployed to Normanton for further investigation.