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A memorial stands at Thomas Mitchell Court in commemoration of Marilyn Wallman. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
More than five decades after 14-year-old Marilyn Joy Wallman disappeared on her way to school in Mackay, renewed coronial proceedings are bringing attention back to a tragedy that has remained unresolved for generations.
Described on community Facebook page What Happened To Marilyn Wallman? as "A girl with a beautiful heart and a wonderful soul", Marilyn was last seen on the morning of 21st March 1972, when she left home on her bicycle to catch a school bus.
According to a historical Queensland Police reward notice, Marilyn left her home at approximately 7.42am, riding towards the Rural Youth Hall at the junction of Wallman and Eimeo roads, where she was due to catch an 8am school bus.
About 10 minutes later, her two brothers travelled along the same route and discovered her bicycle and school bag beside the road, approximately one kilometre from home.
Marilyn was never seen again.
The case was initially treated as a disappearance before becoming a murder investigation, with police believing she may have been murdered. However, no one has ever been charged in connection with her disappearance or death.
A $250,000 reward was offered for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person or people responsible, according to a Queensland Police notice. In September 2018, the reward was temporarily increased to $500,000 for 12 months.
A significant development came in January 2015, when DNA testing confirmed that a fragment of skull discovered at McGregor Creek, approximately 40 kilometres from where Marilyn disappeared, belonged to her.
Her disappearance has remained a mysterious part of Mackay's history, with a memorial park at Thomas Mitchell Court commemorating Marilyn. According to Monument Australia, the park was redeveloped in 2015.
Now, 54 years after she vanished, a second coronial inquest is examining the circumstances surrounding Marilyn's disappearance and death, with proceedings taking place in Mackay throughout October.
The Queensland Coroners Court lists the inquest from 7th - 23rd October, 2026.
While the proceedings may help establish further details about what happened, the circumstances surrounding Marilyn's death remain unresolved at the time of print.
For her family and the wider Mackay community, the search for answers continues.
The inquest was adjourned until Thursday 15th October, with further updates to follow.
A second coronial inquest is revisiting the 1972 disappearance and death of 14-year-old Mackay girl Marilyn Wallman, as her family and community continue seeking answers.
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