Missing Perth woman killed by 'head-butt' before body burned

A Perth woman who vanished 18 years ago was allegedly killed by a ‘head-butt’ before her body and possessions were burned, it has been claimed.

Prosecutors will allege 23-year-old Rebecca Delalande - who went missing in 2001 but was only reported missing last year - is deceased.

She was last seen alive in November 2001 and her bank accounts haven’t been touched since. Her body has never been found.

In a bail application for Ms Delalande’s accused murderer, Chris Blennerhasset, prosecutors said their case hinged on witnesses.

Specifically, witnesses who claimed they'd seen Blennerhasset carrying Ms Delalande out of a property to a car in an injured condition, with her eyes closed and body limp.

The state’s case is a head-butt to the head, inflicted by Blennerhasset, caused Ms Delalande’s death. They also claim he then burned her body.

However, defence lawyer Tom Percy argued the case for was not 'overly strong' and it was unlikely a jury would convict Blennerhasset of murder.

Mr Percy said one of the witnesses had 'a raging drug habit' and a history of dishonesty offences.

He said while there was an inescapable inference Ms Delalande was dead, she was a person who lived on the fringes of society and she could have met with foul play after Blennerhasset claimed he saw her walk off.