Reality television personality Matt Wright, famed for his role in National Geographic's Outback Wrangler, has been found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to a tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of his close friend and co-star.
The verdict was delivered in the Northern Territory Supreme Court on Thursday, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the charismatic crocodile catcher.
A Fatal Flight in the Outback
The case centres on the devastating helicopter accident that occurred in February 2022 near King River in the remote Australian Outback. The crash resulted in the death of Wright's colleague and friend, Chris 'Willow' Wilson, a fellow star of the popular television series.
Wright was not piloting the aircraft at the time of the incident. However, prosecutors successfully argued that he engaged in a deliberate campaign to interfere with the subsequent police investigation.
The Charges and The Conviction
Matt Wright faced multiple charges, including:
- Attempting to pervert the course of justice
- Destroying evidence
- Conspiring to interfere with witnesses
The court found him guilty on the primary charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice. The judge detailed how Wright had made numerous phone calls to various parties in the immediate aftermath of the crash, allegedly pressuring them to provide a misleading version of events to authorities.
A Community in Mourning
The death of Chris 'Willow' Wilson sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Northern Territory community and the show's global fanbase. Wilson was remembered as a beloved father and a skilled outdoorsman. This legal outcome adds a complex layer to the tragedy, leaving many to mourn not only a life lost but also the tarnished legacy of those involved.
Wright is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date, where he will learn the full legal consequences of his actions.
