How can an Ebay auction just disappear?

I bid on a TF Optimus Primal on Ebay and was the highest bidder and now it is simply gone from my 'my ebay' page. I did a search and all of the sellers items are gone.

As i had already placed a bid i'm sure that if the seller had delisted the item i would have got a message stating so.

but i have nothing???

Its not a big deal as i really didn't need the item but i'm curious to know how this can happen without me being notified of cancelled item.

Is this normal?

I'm pretty sure that means the owner ended the auction. I don't think you get any messages when that happens.

The seller might have been deregistered for not paying the bills. I thought you get a message if the item is cancelled by the bidder or doesn't meet e-bays policies etc.