Missing Flinders Island man Robert Charles Mansell and person of interest in his disappearance Joshua Kennedy were "best friends", an inquest has heard.
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Mr Kennedy was present when 42-year-old Robbie Mansell disappeared from Salmon Rocks on Flinders Island in August 2015.
Earlier in the inquest Coroner Olivia McTaggart heard Mr Kennedy had threatened to kill Mr Mansell weeks before his disappearance.
On Wednesday the coroner heard from close friend of Mr Kennedy and Mr Mansell, Stephanie Riggall, who told the court the trio were "black sheep" on the island.
"No one liked Robbie very much on the island, the same with Josh. I didn't care what anyone thought about them," Ms Riggall said.
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Ms Riggall said the three would often spend time together fishing, walking on the beach and drinking.
"Robbie hardly ever fished. He'd just come along for the company," Ms Riggall said.
Ms Riggall said it was not uncommon for Mr Kennedy and Mr Mansell to argue when they had been drinking, but she was not aware of any serious physical altercation between them.
"There were arguments, that's it. They would just get over it and have some more beer."
Ms Riggall described Mr Kennedy as "a lover not a fighter".
After the incident when Mr Mansell disappeared Mr Kennedy did not call emergency services, however he did call Ms Riggall.
"I could hear in his voice that something wasn't right," Ms Riggall said of the call.
Ms Riggall recalled Mr Kennedy said Mr Mansell was trying to free a fishing lure on the rock, slipped and fell in.
"He said he stripped to his boxers and jumped in. He said the tide was so strong he could hardly swim."
Ms Riggall said Mr Kennedy always said he did everything he could to rescue Mr Mansell, and denied that she was fabricating an elaborate story on his behalf.
Coroner McTaggart adjourned the court and directed Mr Kennedy to appear at a case management conference in Launceston on February 19, with the inquest to finish in March.
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