Victorian coroner's ruling on Mt Martha man who disappeared from Peterborough

Michael Sanders, 57, of Mt Martha, disappeared from the popular Great Ocean Road tourist spot on May 22, 2016.

Witnesses sighted the man near cliffs above the Bass Straight on that day and police later located his vehicle at the London Bridge car park following a missing person report.

Inside the vehicle was Mr Sanders' two mobile phones, watch, wallet and work iPad.

Proof of life checks revealed the man had not been sighted since his disappearance and he had not accessed any financial or medical accounts.

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On Wednesday a Coroner's Court summary inquest into Mr Sanders' death heard the man's de facto partner found out on the day of his disappearance that their home would be sold if they were unable to repay a $60,000 debt owed to a client of their former metal fabrication business Ironic Twist.

The court heard Sanders was ordered by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to repay the debt back in January 2015.

It was also found that on the day of Mr Sanders' disappearance he had an unsuccessful meeting with his employers, was unable to respond to questions and was required to make a presentation the following day.

A colleague said she was approached by Mr Sanders several times and he appeared stressed and pale.

Coroner Audrey Jamieson found that stressors relating to the debt, as well the death of Mr Sanders' father in March 2016 and work-related pressures and fear of unemployment, lead the man to end his own life.

"Having considered all the circumstances, I find that he intentionally ended his own life at Peterborough," Ms Jamieson said.

She said the man's death occurred on or about May 25, 2016, near the London Bridge.

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