Manslaughter Charges Dropped in 2023 Mandurah Boat Crash

Prosecutors withdraw charges against John Burdon after new evidence raises doubts about who was driving the boat during the fatal crash.

John Burdon, accused of causing the deaths of his wife Debbie Burdon and her best friend Kylie Bazzo in a 2023 boat crash, had manslaughter charges dropped days before his trial.
Prosecutors stated that new witness evidence made it impossible to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Burdon was driving the boat at the time of the crash.
The crash occurred in the Mandurah Estuary when the boat struck a channel marker, throwing both women overboard; Burdon was injured and has no memory of the incident.
Burdon’s lawyer criticized police for failing to follow up on early eyewitness accounts that indicated another person was operating the boat.
The case remains under investigation, and Burdon’s defense team is exploring potential compensation for the emotional and legal toll of the ordeal.