The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project has announced the death of its Pacific Editor, Dan McGarry, who died in Brisbane, Australia, on March 25 at the age of 62.
OCCRP described him as a veteran journalist and a pillar of the Pacific media community who played a leading role in building the organisation’s investigative journalism work across the region.
McGarry joined OCCRP in late 2021 to help launch its first dedicated Pacific programme.
Canadian-born, he spent more than 20 years in the Pacific and later became a citizen of Vanuatu, where he earned a reputation as a strong advocate for transparency, accountability and press freedom.
OCCRP Editor in Chief Miranda Patrucic said the organisation was devastated by the loss, describing McGarry as an irreplaceable mentor and leader who helped build reporting teams, including Inside PNG and In-depth Solomons.
OCCRP Australia and South Pacific Region Editor Aubrey Belford said McGarry had been instrumental in every major investigation carried out by the organisation in the Pacific and had built a second family among the region’s journalists.
McGarry reportedly fell ill while on assignment in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and was later evacuated to Australia for specialist treatment. He died peacefully with family by his side.
