The Mysterious Disappearance of Dr. Nathalie Casal

In December 2023, the peaceful town of Gnangara in Western Australia was rocked by the sudden and unexplained disappearance of Dr. Nathalie Casal.

Dr. Nathalie Casal was a respected retired doctor known for her compassionate nature and deep commitment to wildlife

On December 6, 2023, Dr. Casal told her family she was going to hike the Bibbulmun Track. 

That was the last time anyone heard from her.

Dr. Casal’s sudden disappearance has left both her family and the local community shocked.

Despite media coverage, a thorough investigation, and her son's desperate appeals, Dr. Nathalie Casal is still missing, and her case remains unsolved.

Who Was Dr. Nathalie Casal?

Dr. Nathalie Casal, a well-known figure in Gnangara and across Western Australia, was not only a general practitioner but also a dedicated wildlife advocate.

Born in 1953, Dr. Casal devoted her life to both medicine and animal welfare.

While the specifics of her early life are unclear, her later years are marked by a story of dedication and eccentricity. 

Dr. Casal’s career took her to various locations, including Joondalup and the remote Pilbara region.

Her love for animals extended beyond her medical practice. 

Dr. Casal's home frequently served as a refuge for orphaned wildlife.

She was widely recognized for her commitment to protecting their habitats. 

During her time in the Pilbara, Dr. Casal became famous for rescuing orphaned kangaroos. 

Her home turned into a haven for these animals, where she cared for up to 50 kangaroos at a time, showcasing her extraordinary compassion. 

In Gnangara, Dr. Nathalie Casal was deeply involved in caring for black cockatoos, and she fed them in Large numbers. 

Although her intentions were good, this occasionally led to conflicts with neighbors and local authorities.

A black cockatoos

The Disappearance of Dr Nathalie Casal 

Dr. Nathalie Casal’s disappearance is surrounded by mystery and confusion. 

Many questions are still unanswered about her final days and the circumstances of her disappearance.

On December 6, 2023, Dr. Casal told her family she planned to hike the Bibbulmun Track.

This was the last time her loved ones heard from her.

Dr Nathalie Casal's announcement didn’t surprise her loved ones, as it aligned with her passion for nature. 

Her plan to hike the Bibbulmun Track seemed natural, given her passion for the environment.

Family members became worried when they didn’t hear from her three months after she left for her journey. 

That was when they officially reported Dr. Nathalie Casal missing.

Bibbulmun Track on a map

It is important to note that Hiking the Bibbulmun Track, which stretches about 1000 km from Perth to Albany, usually takes average hikers between 40 and 65 days to complete.

Experienced hikers may complete it in about 30 days or less, while most thru-hikers average around 50 days.

The duration can vary depending on an individual's pace, fitness level, and the number of rest days taken during the hike.

This likely explains why the family had to wait three whole months before officially reporting her missing.

Investigation Developments

Before she started the hike, Dr. Nathalie Casal had borrowed a lime green foldable bicycle for her daily activities. 

However, the police found no evidence that she started or even reached the trail, which deepened the mystery.

The bicycle was later found missing from her home, and authorities believe it could potentially be a key clue in Dr Nathalie Casal's disappearance.

Initially, the police theory regarding Dr. Nathalie Casal's disappearance focused on her planned hike on the Bibbulmun Track. 

They believed she had set off with a group for this long-distance trail. 

However, this theory faltered when it became clear that there was no evidence she ever started the hike.

This led detectives to suspect she may have fabricated the story as a "white lie" to maintain her privacy. 

The investigation into Dr. Casal's disappearance has uncovered various leads.

However, none of these leads have conclusively resolved the case. 

The initial search focused on the Bibbulmun Track and surrounding areas, including bushland near her home and Lake Gnangara. 

Despite thorough search efforts, no significant evidence was found. 

The investigation has since stalled, with no significant leads uncovered.

A notable lead emerged when it was reported that Dr. Casal might have been seen in Northcliffe on March 14, 2024. 

This potential sighting places her between Northcliffe and Walpole

This sighting has not been confirmed by authorities and it is still pending.

Theories

Here are some possible theories about what might have happened to Dr. Nathalie Casal.

Serious illness - In 2022, Dr. Nathalie Casal was diagnosed with a serious illness, which led her to retire from her medical practice. 

This health issue was not disclosed to her close family members until after her disappearance in December 2023.

This revelation raised concerns about her well-being and possible motivations for going "off the grid" 

Saving Cockatoos - Dr. Nathalie Casal was very passionate about cockatoos and was deeply worried about the destruction of their homes.

She was particularly worried about the damage to the Gnangara pine plantation near her home.

Her son Ramon thinks she may have taken drastic actions while trying to save the cockatoos.

Voluntary disappearance: Dr. Casal was described as a private person who preferred to remain secretive. 

Police think she misled people by saying she was going hiking when she wasn’t. 

In investigations, this is referred to as a "white lie."

This theory suggests she may have wanted to disappear from her normal life.

Shortly after her disappearance, all her lines went dead, and her Facebook and other social media accounts were deactivated. 

Police believe this strongly supports the theory.

Family's Plea and Current Status

The ongoing search for Dr. Casal has been deeply felt by her family, who are now facing significant emotional and legal challenges. 

Dr. Casal’s family, especially her son Ramon Casal, has expressed profound concern and distress. 

They are grappling with the uncertainty of her fate and the emotional toll of her disappearance. 

Her family has now reached out to the WA Coroner's Court in an attempt to escalate the investigation and gain closure. 

Despite numerous searches and appeals for information, the investigation remains an unsolved mystery. 

Dr. Nathalie Casal’s disappearance remains a perplexing case, with many unanswered questions. 

The search for answers continues as her family and the community hope for a resolution. 

If you have any information about Dr. Nathalie Casal's disappearance, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000. 

This hotline allows individuals to provide information anonymously regarding her case. 

Her family is actively seeking assistance from the public to help locate her and bring closure to the situation.

In 1987, in a similar mysterious disappearance case, 9-year-old Patrick “Paddy” Hildebrand disappeared during a family hiking trip with his family.

Even after authorities and volunteers conducted extensive searches, Paddy was never found.

Click here to see more details on that disappearance case.

Sources

[1] https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/perth-gp-s-disappearance-a-mystery-as-family-learn-she-was-never-hiking-on-bibbulmun-track-20240425-p5fmn4.html/

[2] https://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/3757301/Dr-Nathalie-Casal-Joondalup-WA.html/

[3] https://www.healthshare.com.au/profile/professional/112644-dr-nathalie-casal/

[4] https://youtu.be/zp7-IT_DfXA?si=u4CzT73fXYoV4kTt