EXCLUSIVE:
A successful KPMG partner whose body was found in a national park appeared to have it all. He was married to a high-flying barrister, with whom he had a young daughter, and lived in a multimillion-dollar home.
David Ibels, 43, was last seen near the Mount Tamborine area, south of Brisbane, in the early hours of Saturday morning.
His Porsche Cayenne station wagon was found near Springbrook National Park on Sunday, which prompted a desperate and thorough search of the area.
In a grim coincidence, rescue parties on Monday first stumbled across the body of 75-year-old William Marshall, who was last seen at his home in Thornlands, in Brisbane’s outer suburbs, on July 10.
Rescue teams, which included police, two crews from Queensland Fire and Emergency, and about 20 staffers from KPMG, found Mr Ibels’ body at about 2pm that same day.
David Ibels (right) was a valued partner at KPMG. He went missing on Saturday, and his body was found on Monday
David Ibels was married to commercial barrister Anastasia Nicholas (pictured). They lived with their daughter in New Farm
The two men were not known to each other and police are not treating either death as suspicious.
Mr Ibels lived with his wife Anastasia Nicholas and their daughter in a $3.6million home in New Farm, in Brisbane’s inner suburbs.
They moved to the five-bedroom mansion in 2021, after selling their three-bedroom home in nearby Teneriffe for $2.5million.
He was a valued member at KPMG, was affectionately nicknamed ‘Dibes’, and many of his colleagues were shocked to hear about his death.
‘A sad day for all who knew Dibes. I was devastated to hear this news,’ a former colleague wrote on LinkedIn.
Another friend said on Facebook: ‘A very sad couple of days. Such a wonderful supportive network of friends, colleagues and KPMG community.’
‘If you are ever struggling or just need an ear, please reach out to family, friends, a stranger or a professional in the field.’
On Wednesday last week, Mr Ibels commented on a friend’s LinkedIn post to congratulate her on landing a new job.
‘Congratulations, Maddy! Fantastic role and opportunity. Enjoy and best wishes,’ he wrote.
He disappeared three days later.
Pictured: William Marshall, 75, who was last seen on July 10. Police stumbled across his body while searching for Mr Ibels
Friends and colleagues were shocked when they found out Mr Ibels (pictured when he was younger) had died
Mr Ibels’ colleagues spoke highly of him and the CEO of KPMG said his death was a big loss
He went to Shore School in North Sydney, a prestigious school which now costs up to $40,000 per year, and studied a Bachelor of Information Technology at the University of Technology between 1999 and 2001.
The follow year, his success began when he landed the role of managing consultant at Capgemini Invent, a business consultancy firm.
Mr Ibels then became a director at Barclays Wealth in London, before he moved to KPMG in 2011.
Over the past three years, Mr Ibels was a key figure in the development of KPMG Australia’s $800million Brisbane headquarters at Heritage Lanes.
The building, developed by property giant Mirvac, is powered by renewable electricity and has net-zero carbon emissions.
Just a month ago, Mr Ibels was proudly posting about the achievement on LinkedIn.
‘Roll out the blue carpet… several years of hard work culminated in the opening of KPMG Australia’s new Brisbane HQ at Heritage Lanes this week,’ he wrote.
David Ibels is pictured celebrating a 70th birthday. His body was found on Monday
It is understood Mr Ibels’ black 2015 Porsche Cayenne station wagon was found on Sunday
‘This is a brilliant workplace with exceptional amenities for our staff and clients to connect, collaborate, grow and make a significant impact.’
Andrew Yates, the CEO of KPMG Australia, told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday: ‘It’s an incredibly sad day, losing a great partner, and friend.’
‘David was an incredible person, a great partner, and so focused on our people.
‘He was an extraordinary individual – making this news so hard to accept. All our thoughts are with David’s family.
‘His loss will be felt by many, not only within our firm but more broadly with our clients and the Queensland community.’
On Sunday, the day after Mr Ibels was last seen, a close friend asked Mount Tamborine locals on Facebook to keep an eye out.
‘We are very concerned about his welfare and would like your help in locating him,’ he wrote.
‘This has been reported to the local police but we would like the help of your community to find him.’
‘His wife and young daughter are very concerned and would like to speak to him.’
In a statement shared via Queensland Police on Sunday morning, Mr Ibels’ family said they were ‘concerned for his welfare as his behaviour is out of character’.
Reports will be prepared for the coroner for Mr Ibels and Mr Marshall.
If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
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