Coroner Doug Dick found the much-loved volunteer most likely died at sea after going missing from Coila Beach. Mrs Hallahan, 55, was last seen alive on the evening of December 13, 2017, after planning to go for a swim.
 

On the afternoon of her disappearance, Mrs Hallahan visited a friend at Tuross Head and at 5pm advised of her plans to take a walk and “dip a toe in the ocean”.

Concerns for her welfare arose later that evening after she failed to return home. Mrs Hallahan’s husband, Michael, raised the alarm after visiting the beach and locating her car, but finding no trace of her.

A police search found some personal items belonging to Mrs Hallahan only a kilometre from her car near the water’s edge.

An extensive, multi-agency air and sea search failed to find the mother of four.

There were strong currents in the surf and the beach was mostly deserted on the afternoon of her disappearance.

Her last contact is believed to have been with a Tuross Head resident walking her dogs at the beach at the time.
 

"The fate of Mrs Hallahan must be difficult to bear ... she loved, and was loved, by her family and friends."

Coroner Doug Dick

Mr Dick found Mrs Hallahan’s death was likely the result of misadventure, with her body being lost at sea either on or shortly after the evening of her disappearance.

“I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the Hallahan family,” Mr Dick said.

“The fate of Mrs Hallahan must be extremely distressing and difficult to bear.”

Mrs Hallahan was a much-loved member of Moruya Surf Life Saving Club and played a key role in establishing the Eurobodalla Special Nippers Program for disabled children with Mr Hallahan. 
 

She was a highly-regarded registered nurse and had settled on the South Coast with her family.

“She loved, and was loved, by her family and friends,” Mr Dick said.

Mr Hallahan thanked all involved in the search.

“It certainly gave us a lot of solace at the time,” he said.
 

“They pulled out all stops to find her.”