Inquest hears drowning more likely than murder in case of vanishing naked man

Steven "Feno" Fenwick disappeared after winning money on the pokies on January 31, 2019.

Police have investigated four theories: that he died from a drug overdose, was robbed and murdered, or drowned and was possibly eaten by a shark.

An inquest into his disappearance is set to run for a week.

An inquest into the 2019 disappearance of a man in Newcastle has heard it is more likely he drowned than was murdered, after he was last seen disorientated and naked on a beach.

Steven "Feno" Fenwick was last seen walking with his girlfriend at Stockton in the early hours of January 31, 2019.

Police said Mr Fenwick had a win playing poker machines that night and planned to meet up with his girlfriend again later, but never showed up.

An inquest into the then 33-year-old's disappearance is being held in Newcastle over the next two weeks before Deputy State Coroner Joan Baptie.

Mr Fenwick's mother Debbie Fenwick pleaded for answers via a statement read on her behalf by a family spokeswoman.

"I am here today for my son Steven Fenwick; a kind, considerate, loving son and brother," the statement read.

Counsel assisting the coroner Dean Jordan reflected on the family's grief.

"Steven's family have lived with the unrelenting grief of not knowing what happened to him," Mr Jordan said.

"[The grief] has been compounded by rumour and innuendo that has circulated in the community ... This has no doubt caused additional distress.

"Although he did face challenges in his life, it is very clear that Steven was loved and is sorely missed."

The inquest heard Mr Fenwick was addicted to the drug ice, and often overheated after taking it.

Mr Jordan told Judge Baptie it was possible he went for a swim to cool off, and formed part of a hypothesis by the current detective in charge that Mr Fenwick drowned off Stockton Beach.

He said the drowning scenario was one of four theories linked to the disappearance.

"The detective reached the conclusion this [drowning] hypothesis cannot be ruled out and it is supported by witnesses' comments he made about going for a swim," Mr Jordan said.

"There is evidence he had brought a towel with him and family evidence of him overheating using ice, leading to taking several cold showers a day."

Mr Fenwick's clothing was found strewn in sand dunes around Stockton after he disappeared.

Mr Jordan told the inquest a witness had seen "an apparently naked and disorientated male" walking on the beach on the night of Mr Fenwick's disappearance.

Mr Fenwick's body has never been found, and Mr Jordan said shark experts had been consulted in relation to a possible shark attack.

"Three shark experts were asked about the possible role of sharks in the Stockton Beach area," he said.

"Stockton Bight is considered the southern part of Port Stephens' white shark nursery.

"If sharks were involved at all, then post-drowning scavenging was more likely."

Another of four scenarios was that Mr Fenwick overdosed and may have been robbed after being lured to a Stockton home over a drug debt, and met with foul play.

Mr Jordan also outlined a theory he was murdered after an altercation, but said the officer in charge did not believe there was sufficient evidence to prove it, while not ruling it out entirely.

A fourth theory is he become lost in sand dunes and bush.

Ultimately, Mr Jordan concluded Mr Fenwick was dead, citing the most recent police check done last week.

"As at the 28th of October, there are no indications Steven Fenwick is active or alive," he said.

It was news Judge Baptie acknowledged would be difficult to hear.

"It is clear he was a much-loved son, grandson and brother," she said.

"I would also like to acknowledge your pain and frustration regarding these circumstances.

"Some of the evidence is going to be challenging. It is necessary for me to try to understand what has happened. I apologise for that in advance."