AAP
Pilot's family want body returned
March 16, 2004
THE family of an Australian pilot killed by bandits in Papua New Guinea hope for a prompt return of his body for a funeral this weekend.
Cairns resident Alan Mourilyan, 57, was held up then shot dead by bandits in the highlands town of Mount Hagen shortly after piloting an Airlines PNG flight from Cairns on Sunday.
Airline spokesman Reg Childs said today the company had yet to receive a police report or a decision by PNG authorities on the release of the body.
"So we're all waiting. Our sincere hope is that we can expect the body tomorrow or early Thursday and I think the family's hoping for a funeral on Friday or Saturday."
A memorial service is also planned by Airlines PNG in PNG in the next day or two.
Local police said three young men set upon Captain Mourilyan's car shortly after he withdrew money from an ATM.
They demanded cash then one drew a pistol and shot him at close range. The pilot died on the way to hospital.
Police said they had arrested the gunman, but the other men escaped.
Longtime friend and fellow pilot Graham Syphers, of Mapleton near Noosa, said Capt Mourilyan was a professional and experienced pilot who was easygoing and unflappable.
"He was one of nature's gentleman. I can't recall anybody ever saying anything bad about the bloke."
Mr Syphers flew with Capt Mourilyan in PNG from 1993 and said his longtime friend loved working in PNG.
"If you've done more than a couple of years up there it's like the circus in your blood and you go back – and even though law and order is non-existent now, a lot of people tend to take the punt."
Daniela Marsilli, managing director of National Jet Systems where Capt Mourilyan worked for eight years until last July, said staff were shocked and saddened by his death.
She said he was well-liked and respected by his colleagues and the company's sympathies went to his family.
Capt Mourilyan had two children by his first wife, who lives in Australia. His second and current wife lives in Cairns. Family members began arriving in the city today.
Capt Mourilyan's murder has added urgency to negotiations between the Australian and PNG governments over a plan to deploy Australian police to fight crime in PNG.
Mount Hagen has been identified along with the cities of Port Moresby and Lae as a key base for Australia's impending deployment of 230 police.
AAP
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