Coroner finds Darlene Geertsema died at the hands of her partner

A Tasmanian coroner has ruled the Devonport mother of six, who went missing in 1978, was killed at the hands of her partner John Shepherd.

The sister-in-law of Devonport mother-of-six Darlene Avis Geertsema, 30, who disappeared in 1978, says the family have been provided a measure of closure after a Tasmanian coroner ruled she was killed by her partner John Shepherd.

Coroner Simon Cooped ruled on Friday she died at the hands of Mr Shepherd at some point on or immediately after October 23, 1978, the last day anyone ever heard from her.

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Ms Geertsema was last seen alive leaving her Best St, Devonport family home on the evening in question.

There had been “no trace” of her since that night and her body had never been found, Coroner Simon Cooper told the court.

He ruled Ms Geertsema died at the hands of her partner John Shepherd, but he was unable to determine by what means, where exactly her death occurred, nor where her remains lie.

Mr Shepherd has not been charged in relation to Ms Geertsema’s death.

Mr Cooper told the court “much had changed” in the way police investigated instances of domestic violence and pursued lines of inquiry regarding missing persons.

He said it was “inconceivable” Tasmania Police officers in 2022 would investigate Ms Geertsema’s disappearance in the way they did in 1978.

Mr Cooper stressed, however, that he wasn’t seeking to “criticise” officers involved in the case at the time of Ms Geertsema’s disappearance.

The actions undertaken by officers were “completely consistent with practices and procedures” at the time.

The world, however, had “changed markedly” in the nearly 45 years since Ms Geertsema’s disappearance, he told the court.

Speaking to reporters outside Launceston Magistrates Court, Ms Geertsema’s sister-in-law Lynne Styles said the ruling left her a “bit emotional”.

“It’s good that something’s been done,” she said.

“It’s been a long time coming.”

Mr Shepherd now reportedly lives at Westbury with his wife.

Tasmania Police said they were “aware” of Mr Cooper’s findings and would “review” their content.