Australia TAS, Darlene Geertsema, 30, Devonport,Tasmania, October 23, 1978

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Darlene Geertsema's family, Tasmania Police, convinced someone knows her whereabouts

Kathryn Gray was eight years old when she last saw her mum and, while the memories have begun to fade, the pain of not knowing what happened to her remains.

On October 23, 1978, 30-year-old Darlene Avis Geertsema was seen leaving her family home on Best Street in Devonport on the state's north-west coast.

Two days after the mother of six disappeared, her red Holden Sunbird car was found locked and abandoned in a car park on Victoria Parade, near the Devonport oval.

 

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Coroner identifies ex-partner as person of interest in 40 year old case

 

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MSN

A coroner has found that a Tasmanian woman who disappeared over 40 years ago was killed by her former partner.

Darlene Avis Geertsema, 30, was last seen at her family home at Devonport in October 1978.

The Coroners Court previously heard her former partner, John Shepherd, was a person of interest in her disappearance. However, no charges have been laid.

Today, coroner Simon Cooper found Ms Geertsema died as a result of injuries inflicted by Mr Shepherd.

However it is not know where she died or where her body is located.

Mr Cooper did not make any recommendations but gave his condolences to all those who "knew and loved Darlene Geertsema".

"Especially to her six children who grew up without a mother and without knowing what happened to her," he said