A "bubbly and cheerful" mother-of-six who went missing in Tasmania more than four decades ago could have met with foul play at the hands of her partner, an inquest has been told.
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Darlene Avis Geertsema, aged 30 at the time, was last seen leaving her Devonport family home around 10pm on October 23, 1978 in her red Holden.
The car was found two days later near an oval in the northwest city.
An inquest, which began on Monday, will examine aspects of the case including the original police investigation and Ms Geertsema's relationship with partner John Shepherd.
Counsel assisting Madeleine Wilson said Mr Shepherd was considered a person of interest in her disappearance.
His is not facing any criminal charges and is expected to give evidence at the inquest.
"The inquest will focus on (Mr Shepherd's) tendencies to be a possessive, jealous partner," Ms Wilson said during opening submissions in Launceston Magistrates Court.
She said the inquest would hear evidence of a heated argument between the pair on the night of October 23 which was followed by "hitting sounds" and then silence.
She said it would be examined whether or not Ms Shepherd hit Ms Geertsema in a fit of rage, perhaps unintentionally causing her death, disposed of her body and then parked her car in a way to create a narrative of suicide.
"The evidence I suggest will show that far from being suicidal, Darlene was a bright, bubbly and cheerful person who loved all of her children and would not have intentionally left them behind," Ms Wilson said.
"Darlene was a fighter who made many attempts to leave a toxic violent relationship."
Ms Wilson said evidence would be heard about Ms Geertsema's dissatisfaction with life in Tasmania and her plans to travel interstate with two of her children without Mr Shepherd.
One Ms Geertsema's daughters, Elizabeth, told the inquest Mr Shepherd was "very abusive" to her mother.
She said he would strangle Ms Geertsema until she was blue and almost killed her several times.
"I can't not remember these things, they're there," Elizabeth, who was 11 when her mother vanished, said via video link.
Tasmania Police in November announced a $500,000 reward for anyone who could provide credible information to help uncover the truth about Ms Geertsema's disappearance.
"We were her world. It was out of character for my mum to leave," daughter Kathryn said at the time.
"She wouldn't have walked out on us for sure, I know that in my heart."
Ms Geertsema's eldest four daughters were living in Queensland at the time she went missing.
The 1978 police investigation was unable to ascertain a motive for her disappearance, with a 2013 review establishing a verbal and physical fight took place on the night she was last seen.
Australian Associated Press
