Register entry · Case file · Suspicious death · South Pole Station, Antarctica
Rodney Marks.
MUS-2026-0333
Archive card
MUS-2026-0333
Suspicious death
- Incident
- 2000
- Indexed
- Oct 18, 2026, by MuseUnsolved
- Agency
- New Zealand Police
- Location
- South Pole Station, Antarctica
Public record. Index entry.
Index entry. Case details compiled from public reporting; our researchers have not verified this file yet.
Summary
What happened, as the record shows.
Australian astrophysicist Rodney Marks, 32, died of methanol poisoning at the US-run Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station after about 36 hours of illness on May 11 to 12, 2000. How the methanol entered his system was never established. New Zealand investigators sought to investigate but reported limited cooperation; only 13 of 49 station colleagues answered questions. The inquiry was adjourned indefinitely in 2006, and the coroner's 2008 report drew no conclusions. No charges were ever filed.
Timeline
What the record establishes.
- May 11-12, 2000
Marks falls ill, sees the station doctor three times, and dies within about 36 hours; postmortem finds methanol poisoning.
- 2000
New Zealand police attempt an investigation but report limited cooperation; only 13 of 49 station colleagues respond to questions.
- 2006
The investigation is adjourned indefinitely.
- Sep 2008
Coroner Richard McElrea's written report draws no conclusions, stating accidental poisoning and foul play could not be adequately disregarded without a full investigation.
- 2026
No arrests or charges; one source describes the case as cold with no active leads being pursued.
Key people
The people in the file.
32, Australian astrophysicist. Died of methanol poisoning at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station on May 11 to 12, 2000.
Contact details change over time; confirm the current assignee before publishing.
Investigating agency
Where tips go.
This case is with the New Zealand Police. If you know something, say something to them. For public-record leads for our researchers, use the tip line on any open file.
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