WA coroner examines mystery disappearance TRACY Margaret Marshall was being treated in a rural hospital for a mental illness when she walked out hours before a cyclone hit the town and was never seen again. The West Australian coroner is investigating the circumstances surrounding Ms Marshall's disappearance from the Pilbara town of Karratha on February 21, 2011. Counsel assisting the coroner, Emily Winborne, told the court on Monday that Ms Marshall had first shown signs of suffering from anxiety and depression in 2000. In her opening address, Ms Winborne said the 35-year-old had attended the Pilbara Mental Health and Drug Service on February 14, 2011, reportedly suffering from mild anxiety, feeling fearful and being in a depressed mood. However, she had no history of self harm and was assessed as being at low risk of harming herself or others, Ms Winborne said. Ms Marshall presented to the Pilbara Mental Health and Drug Service for a second time on February 18 and it was noted she was suffering from poor sleep, and was mildly agitated and distracted. She also exhibited overly religious ideation, which was out of character for her. Ms Marshall's husband, Iain, described his concern as being 8.5 out of 10. An appointment was made for Ms Marshall to see a visiting psychiatrist 10 days later on February 28, Ms Winborne said. However, Ms Marshall's condition deteriorated the next morning and she began tap dancing and waving a tube around calling it "Excalibur" before reciting the Lord's Prayer, which was unusual behaviour for her. She returned to hospital on February 19 and was prescribed diazepam, and returned again the next day and was kept overnight. But on February 21, she walked out of the hospital through the rear staff entrance around 6.30am. Mr Marshall rode around on his bike looking for his wife and later noticed their car and spare key were missing. He reported her missing at 8.30am that day. Patrols were conducted but when a red alert for Cyclone Carlos was issued at 2.51pm, the search was postponed. When the cyclone passed, further extensive land and air searches were conducted and the car was found, but Ms Marshall was never found. Coroner Alastair Hope will determine whether it can be established that Ms Marshall is dead and how she may have died.