An inquest into the death of Leisl Smith, who disappeared from the New South Wales Central Coast 13 years ago, has found she was killed by an intimate partner and that her body was dumped in the Upper Hunter.

Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame found Ms Smith's death "was a homicide".

"She was killed by James Scott Church," Magistrate Grahame said.

Ms Smith, 23, was last seen at Tuggerah railway station on August 19, 2012, getting into a car with Mr Church.

The inquest heard she had been in an intimate relationship with Mr Church, who believed she was pregnant with his child.

"It is clear he had an opportunity to harm Leisl, given they were alone and travelling in a motor vehicle," Magistrate Grahame said.

The court heard Mr Church's relationship with his girlfriend would have been

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