David Ibel’s tragic death: KPMG partner found in a Brisbane park, left behind a high-profile lawyer, a loving daughter and a $3.6 million home in Thornlands

EXCLUSIVE:

A successful KPMG partner whose body was found in a national park, seemed to have it all. He was married to a high-profile lawyer, with whom he had a young daughter, and lived in a multimillion-dollar home.

David Ibels, 43, was last seen near the Mount Tamborine area south of Brisbane in the early hours of Saturday.

His Porsche Cayenne station wagon was found near Springbrook National Park on Sunday, sparking a frantic and exhaustive search in the area.

In a terrible coincidence, rescue workers on Monday first came across the body of 75-year-old William Marshall, who was last seen on July 10 at his home in the Brisbane suburb of Thornlands.

Rescue teams including police, two Queensland Fire and Emergency crews and about 20 KPMG staff found Mr Ibels’ body at around 2pm the same day.

David Ibels (right) was a valued partner at KPMG. He went missing on Saturday and his body was found on Monday

David Ibels was married to business lawyer Anastasia Nicholas (pictured). They lived in New Farm with their daughter

The two men did not know each other and police are not treating either death as suspicious.

Mr Ibels lived with his wife Anastasia Nicholas and their daughter in a $3.6 million home in the Brisbane suburb of New Farm.

They moved into the five-bedroom villa in 2021 after selling their three-bedroom home in nearby Tenerife for $2.5 million.

He was a valued member of KPMG, was affectionately known as “Dibes” and many of his colleagues were shocked to hear of his death.

“A sad day for everyone who knew Dibes.” “I was devastated to hear this news,” a former colleague wrote on LinkedIn.

Another friend said on Facebook: “A very sad few days.” “Such a wonderful support network of friends, colleagues and the KPMG community.”

“If you ever have difficulty or just need an ear, please reach out to family, friends, a stranger, or a professional in the field.”

On Wednesday last week, Mr. Ibels commented on a friend’s LinkedIn post to congratulate her on her new job.

“Congratulations, Maddy! Fantastic role and opportunity. Have fun and best wishes,” he wrote.

Three days later he disappeared.

Pictured: William Marshall, 75, who was last seen on July 10. Police stumbled upon his body while searching for Mr. Ibels

Friends and colleagues were shocked to learn that Mr. Ibels (pictured when he was younger) had died

Mr. Ibels’ colleagues praised him and the CEO of KPMG said his death was a great loss

He attended Shore School in North Sydney, a prestigious school that now costs up to $40,000 a year, and studied a Bachelor of Information Technology at the University of Technology between 1999 and 2001.

The following year, his success began when he took on the role of management consultant at Capgemini Invent, a management consulting firm.

Mr Ibels then became a director at Barclays Wealth in London before moving to KPMG in 2011.

Over the past three years, Mr Ibels has been a key figure in the development of KPMG Australia’s $800 million Brisbane headquarters at Heritage Lanes.

Developed by real estate giant Mirvac, the building is powered by renewable electricity and has net zero carbon emissions.

Just a month ago, Mr. Ibels proudly posted about his success on LinkedIn.

“Roll out the blue carpet… several years of hard work culminated this week in the opening of KPMG Australia’s new Brisbane headquarters at Heritage Lanes,” he wrote.

David Ibels celebrates his 70th birthday. His body was found on Monday

It is understood Mr Ibels’ black 2015 Porsche Cayenne station wagon was found on Sunday

“This is a brilliant place to work with exceptional amenities for our employees and customers to connect, collaborate, develop and make a meaningful impact.”

KPMG Australia CEO Andrew Yates told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday: “It’s an incredibly sad day to lose a great partner and friend.”

“David was an incredible person, a great partner and he was so focused on our people.

“He was an extraordinary person – that’s what makes this news so difficult to accept.” All our thoughts are with David’s family.

“His loss will be felt by many, not only within our firm but more broadly among our customers and the Queensland community.”

On Sunday, a day after Mr Ibels was last seen, a close friend took to Facebook to urge Mount Tamborine locals to keep their eyes open.

“We are very concerned for his well-being and would like your help in finding him,” he wrote.

“This has been reported to local police but we need your community’s help to find him.”

“His wife and young daughter are very concerned and would like to speak to him.”

In a statement distributed by Queensland Police on Sunday morning, Mr Ibels’ family said they were “concerned for his welfare as his behavior is out of character”.

Reports will be prepared for the coroner for Mr Ibels and Mr Marshall.

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636