Human head found on WA beach believed to be missing snorkeller Wen Ren Gu, shark attack remains a possibility

A grim discovery on Western Australia’s coastline has brought a tragic turn to the search for a missing snorkeller, after police confirmed that a human head found on a beach north of Perth is believed to belong to 32-year-old Wen “Walter” Ren Gu, who disappeared while snorkelling off the coastal town of Ledge Point on New Year’s Day. He vanished while crayfishing off the coast.

The shocking find comes five days after he went missing. According to 9News, a local man discovered the remains in the sand at Fence Reef Beach.

Police were alerted just after 7 am and arrived shortly afterwards, sealing off the beach before removing the remains.
According to Surfer website, a WA Police spokeswoman said formal identification is still pending, but the remains are believed to be those of a 32-year-old man who went missing on January 1, 2026. She added that his death is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Potential shark attack

The circumstances surrounding Ren Gu’s disappearance have not been disclosed, but with a decapitated head found in a region known for shark activity, authorities have not ruled out a possible shark attack.
According to Surfer website, Western Australia is notorious for its shark population, with all 13 species known to bite humans found in its waters, and white sharks and bull sharks are particularly common, though populations have declined significantly from historical levels. Still, shark attacks remain extremely rare, more people are killed by lightning, fireworks, or even constipation than by sharks.
The group became separated while crayfishing at the popular tourist spot. Police launched a large-scale search using local boats, drones and a helicopter, with officers combing the sand and divers scouring the water.
The search was scaled back, prompting friends to make a desperate plea on Facebook for any new leads. Police have confirmed that formal identification is still pending and the discovery provides some closure for the 32-year-old’s overseas family.