One of the Northern Territory's biggest mysteries remains unsolved, and it appears Police are getting to the end of their tether.
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More than three years after the puzzling disappearance of Paddy Moriarty in the outback town of Larrimah, less than 200 kilometres south of Katherine, Police are offering a $250,000 reward for information.
Mr Moriarty was last seen at dusk on December 16, 2017, when he went to the only pub in the town of just 11 people or so, and had his final round of drinks - a ritual he routinely upheld.
On that day, Mr Moriarty and his dog Kellie disappeared without a trace.
The disappearance has since sparked a global industry with hundreds of news and magazine articles, award winning podcasts, and a tv show now circulating.
A HBO series is even in the works with directors intent on unravelling the mystery.
Tension had been building in the tiny town long before the missing persons case arrived in the hands of Northern Territory Police.
Accusations and suspicions were aired at a two-day inquest held in Katherine in 2018, after police had come up empty handed despite a comprehensive investigation sparing no expenses.
Helicopters scoured the arid land, divers checked the dam and volunteers rummaged through the tip, but nothing was ever found.
In opening the inquest, counsel assisting the Coroner, Kelvin Currie, said while no sign of Mr Moriarty has even been found, it was "likely someone in Larrimah has evidence that may be helpful in establishing what happened to Paddy".
Detective Sergeant Matthew Allen has been leading the investigation for over three years.
"The investigation remains focused on establishing what happened to Paddy, where he might be and who is responsible," he said.
"We continue to follow up information from the public and a number of people have been eliminated from our enquiries.
Somebody knows what happened. A 70-year-old man and his dog don't just disappear from a tiny outback town.
- Detective Sergeant Matthew Allen
Srgt. Allen said police believe Mr Moriarty was murdered.
"We are offering a reward of $250,000 for information leading to the location of his body and the conviction of the person or people responsible for his death. The case will only be closed when it is solved."
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
"Even if you don't think you have any useful information, the smallest clue might be just what we need to resolve this case," Srgt. Allen said.
Anyone with any information, or who was in Larrimah at the time of Mr Moriarty's disappearance who hasn't already come forward, is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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