Matthew Leveson 'could be' alive and in Thailand, says ex-boyfriend Michael Atkins

The former boyfriend of Sydney man Matthew Leveson - and the final known person to see him alive nearly a decade ago - has given public evidence for the first time, claiming he "always thought" he was in Thailand.

Forced to enter the witness box at a coronial inquest into his lover's death, Michael Atkins, 53, said Mr Leveson could still be alive and he may have travelled overseas to "start a new life".

Michael Atkins and Matthew Leveson at the ARQ nightclub in the hours before Mr Leveson went missing in September 2007. Photo: Supplied

Mr Atkins was acquitted of both the murder and manslaughter of Mr Leveson in 2009, but has never given public evidence about what he knows about his disappearance.

Deputy State Coroner Elaine Truscott earlier this year compelled Mr Atkins to give evidence "in the interest of justice" and has granted him immunity from prosecution. 

Matthew Leveson's parents Faye and Mark Leveson outside court. Photo: Ben Rushton

Mr Leveson, 20, was last seen leaving ARQ nightclub in Sydney's Taylor Square with Mr Atkins, then 44, in the early hours of September 23, 2007.

In an explosive hearing at the Glebe Coroner's Court on Monday, Mr Atkins said he initially thought Mr Leveson might have disappeared because he "had the shits" with him after they left the nightclub early.

"I thought that he just had got the shits and was just off somewhere else…I thought he would be back," Mr Atkins said.

Mr Atkins told the inquest that the last time he had seen Mr Leveson was late on the afternoon of September 23 and that the last thing. The last thing Mr Leveson had said to him, the inquest heard, was "something about the TV".

Mr Atkins said he believed Mr Leveson was getting ready to go out that evening.

"You know that Matt is dead don't you?" Counsel assisting Lester Fernandez​ put to Mr Atkins.

"No," Mr Atkins responded.

"Could Matt be alive?" Mr Fernandez continued.

"He could be," Mr Atkins said.

Mr Atkins was repeatedly questioned about why he thought Mr Leveson would want to leave his seemingly happy life in Australia.

"Because he liked to go to Thailand. He enjoyed it," Mr Atkins said.

"He just liked to travel and I just assumed if he wasn't here that's where he would be or may be.... He could have gone there or he could have gone somewhere else."

Mr Atkins, who at one point said he was not feeling well and had to take a short break from giving evidence, said he had never loved anyone more than Mr Leveson.

"I loved Matt so much, we got on so well. He relied on me and I looked after him. I enjoyed looking after him," he said.

"I think he loved me just as much as well...He just wanted to be with me all the time. He trusted me. He would just always want to be with me and it was like any relationship you want to be with somebody."

Mr Atkins conceded that he had not done enough to search for Matt in the days, weeks and years after his death.

But Mr Atkins said this was because he was suffering from depression and believed that police would do their job.

"At the time, after like in the weeks, after I suffered from depression so it is very hard for me to do things I got into this very deep depression."

An initial inquest into Mr Leveson's death was suspended in August 2008, after Mr Atkins was charged with murder.

The decision to resume the inquest eight years later, and after the conclusion of a criminal trial, had placed the Coroner's Court in unchartered territory.

Deputy State Coroner Truscott ruled earlier this year that she was "satisfied it is in the interest of justice" that Mr Atkins be compelled to take the stand at the inquest into Matthew Leveson's death.

In a bid to avoid giving evidence, Mr Atkins unsuccessfully attempted to challenge the Coroners ruling in the NSW Supreme Court.

With Lisa Visentin