Greg O’Neill: ‘Generous Devoted’ Dad Killed in Horrific Shark Attack in Front of Friend as Rare Killed Order Issued for Monster

A “generous, devoted” father has been identified as the victim of a deadly shark attack in Australia, prompting authorities to issue a rare order to catch and kill the great white believed to be responsible. Greg O’Neill, 63, was attacked and killed on Friday while swimming with a friend off Sorrento Beach in Perth, Western Australia. His body has not been recovered.

Authorities are trying their best to recover his remains but have been struggling. “Our family is deeply shocked and devastated by the terrible tragedy that took the life of father, grandfather-to-be, brother, uncle, husband and friend, Greg James O’Neill,” his family said in a statement to ABC Australia.

Biggest Shock for Family and Friends

“He was a generous, devoted family man that gave his children so much love, care and opportunity,” they said. “Greg loved the ocean and was known as a passionate swimmer, sports lover, dedicated worker and an all round generous, witty guy.”

Western Australia’s Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis has authorized a rare “catch-and-kill” operation for the great white shark believed to have fatally attacked O’Neill at Sorrento Beach in Perth.

Jarvis said she took the “extraordinary” step because of the “exceptional circumstances” surrounding the attack, the ongoing danger posed by the shark and the possibility that authorities could recover evidence for the investigation. If captured, the shark has been ordered to be destroyed.

The order is unusual in Western Australia, where great white sharks are protected. Jarvis said she believed it was the first catch-and-kill order issued in the state in about 10 years. However, she rejected the idea of a broader shark cull, saying such a measure would not be appropriate.

The decision has renewed a long-running debate in the state over how authorities should respond to fatal shark attacks.

Catch-and-kill measures have historically divided communities, with previous efforts drawing strong opposition. In 2014, major protests broke out after the Western Australian government introduced a policy allowing sharks to be killed following a series of attacks.

Moment of Attack

O’Neill was swimming close to shore with a friend when he was attacked Friday morning. Witnesses reported seeing blood in the water, while emergency crews launched an extensive search involving boats and aircraft. His body has not been recovered. Police said the shark involved had been positively identified before it moved away from the area.

Authorities closed beaches across Perth‘s northern suburbs as the search continued. Police boats, aircraft and drones were used to monitor the coastline, while fisheries officers deployed capture equipment designed to help locate and restrain the shark. Rough conditions later prevented the equipment from being set up.

The attack was the second reported shark incident in Western Australia within days. Earlier in the week, a 56-year-old surfer was seriously injured in a separate attack near Geraldton, about 400 kilometers north of Perth.

O’Neill’s death was also the third fatal shark attack recorded in Western Australia this year and contributed to five fatal shark attacks across Australia in 2026.

Jarvis said the state government would also examine whether more drones and expanded shark-tagging programs could improve beach safety. Western Australia has already tagged hundreds of sharks, including more than 200 white sharks, as part of its existing monitoring and mitigation efforts.