This is the case of Marian Bata, a mother, teacher, friend, missing for 25 years.

You know, no sign that she was going to vanish, that's for sure.

The bizarre circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

I'm not sure if it was intentional or if there's something more foul of foot.

If you could imagine a teacher coming straight from, say, a little house on the Prairie to the 80s, that was Marian Bata.

What do you know who I said?

Whether you find Marian Bata dead or alive, I honestly believe somebody has that key piece of information.

And the relentless quest of a daughter to find her mum.

If something had happened, something has happened to make her leave.

I am 100% sure, 100% sure that somebody knows something.

The Lady Vanishes.

Episode 31.

The Inquest Heart 11.

I'm Alison Sandy.

It's Wednesday, February 16th, an overcast rainy day in northern New South Wales, and the first day we hear from Rick Blum.

Everyone is anxious to hear what a man who's now being dubbed the serial swindler will say.

Will he be like his wife, Diane, and remember very little?

Or will he enjoy being given the chance to finally tell his story, his way?

Will Diane even be there after apparently learning only a day before that her husband had cheated so many times?

I stand waiting outside Ballon Accord House with Tessa Fleming from the Daily Telegraph, who's holding a camera.

She's based here, and like most regional journalists in Australia, takes the photos and writes the stories.

We discuss the case so far, and wonder whether Rick Blum will even turn up.

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