Wreck Beach shooting: Elderly couple found dead in a suspected suicide pact on an isolated walking track

An elderly couple whose bodies were discovered by horrified beachgoers are suspected to have taken part in a suicide pact. 

The bodies of Bart Wissink, 78, and his partner Kaye Salisbury, 74, were found on a walking track near Wreck Beach, 230km south-west of Melbourne near the Great Ocean Road on the Surf Coast, last Friday.

It’s since been revealed that a licenced gun was located near the grim discovery.

It’s believed that the couple, who were discovered with gunshot wounds, had agreed to end their lives together after a gun was found at the scene, the Herald Sun reported.

The weapon used was licenced to Mr Wissink, who had moved to Australia from South Africa decades ago.

It’s understood the arts philanthropists split their time between a property in nearby Buckley and Melbourne.

The couple were described by shocked locals as very quiet and kept to themselves.

It’s believed that the elderly couple had agreed to end their lives together. Pictured are police at the scene

Ron Condon, an alpaca farmer who lives on the same road in the Surf Coast as the couple, described Mr Wissink as ‘quiet’.

‘I’ve been out here for seven years and we pass them down the road, we pass each other and wave at each other,’ he said.

Mr Condon said the deaths had left locals scratching their heads.

‘It is quite sad, something has gone astray somehow,’ he added.

‘I look at the property and it has been ploughed, it has pasture growing as if they were preparing to do what they normally would.

‘It has been very sad to hear, and it is very strange.’ 

 A gun located near the bodies was licenced to Mr Wissink. Pictured is the closed off walking track

The couple were described as being very quiet and kept to themselves

It’s understood the couple were notable donors to the arts and made significant financial contributions to National Gallery of Victoria, Victorian Opera, Melbourne Recital Centre and regional arts groups.

 Victoria Police said they were not treating the deaths as suspicious.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.