Roman Butchaski, a passionate fisherman and outdoors enthusiast, was previously a host at Nine radio station 2GB, where he led a fishing program.
The 76-year-old went missing during a fishing trip in the Olive River region of Queensland on November 12, 2023.
Despite an eight-day search by authorities, Butchaski could not be located.
Radio host Ben Fordham paid tribute to Butchaski today, saying he was glad closure could be offered to his friends and family.
“So in many ways, we are relieved to know what happened to Butch.
“So to Butch’s family who are listening, we’re thinking of you guys, and we only hope that you feel the same way we do that, even though it’s not what we want to hear.”
Michael Guest, who hosted The Outdoor and Fishing Show with Butchaski, said the coroner’s finding was in line with what he suspected.
“It’s not until it sort of affects you personally that you really experience this odd kind of empty feeling where there’s no closure,” he told Fordham.
“So it’s nice to get some closure through the words of the coroner.
“I agree totally with what she said and it’s what I thought happened in the first place, early days.”
Guest admitted Butchaski could be “gung ho” and the thrill of a catch sometimes meant risks were taken.
“I think as fishermen we get a bit complacent and especially when the fish are biting,” he said.
“It’s just one of those things, the instinct to hunt, the desire to catch that big fish sort of takes over, and you sometimes get a bit closer to the water than you should.”
Butchaski’s character was integral to the show’s success, his old colleague Guest said.
“He represented the average Joe Blow fisherman so well and asked the right questions and created a really great banter.”
