The preliminary investigation into the death of author Mark Minnie shows his death was a suicide.
Minnie‚ 58‚ was found dead on August 13 with a gunshot wound to the head on a friend’s plot in Theescombe.
The gun belonged to Minnie’s friend and former colleague, Brent Barnes.
Forensic results confirmed that gunshot residue was found on Minnie’s hands and clothing, as well as on the firearm.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the forensic results confirmed suicide.
A police handwriting expert also submitted a report that confirmed the suicide note had been written by Minnie.
At the time, police opened a case of negligence relating to the safekeeping of a firearm against Barnes.
The firearm was believed to be locked away in a safe but removed by Minnie, who wrote The Lost Boys of Bird Island, a book that implicated high-ranking National Party cabinet ministers and a businessman in the abuse of young boys during the 1980s.