Missing teacher ‘is dead’
Coroner calls for investigation
NSW Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan says it’s believed missing Gold Coast teacher and mum Marion Barter has died and the case should be probed further by the state’s unsolved homicide police.
Ms O’Sullivan has released her findings in the inquest into the 1997 disappearance and suspected death of Ms Barter.
She also found convicted conman Ric Blum, who “exploited” vulnerable women, “does indeed know more than he is saying” about Ms Barter.
The inquest began in 2021 and was initially only slated to last for two weeks, but was extended significantly.
Ms O’Sullivan has found Ms Barter likely died at a date after October 15, 1997 but could not determine the place, cause and manner of Ms Barter’s death.
She told the inquest “the circumstances surrounding Marion’s disappearance are troubling”.
Ms O’Sullivan described the evidence given by Mr Blum as “extraordinary” and deceitful.
“I do not accept as accurate anything Mr Blum has said,” she said.
“(His) lies and deception throughout the inquest has convinced me that he does indeed know more than he is saying”.
Mr Blum had “dishonest relationships” and “(misrepresented) himself to single, vulnerable women for financial gain”, the inquest heard.
“I also find that Mr Blum exploited Marion in 1997,” Ms O’Sullivan said.
Mr Blum had a wife and children when he began a secret relationship with Ms Barter and encouraged her to start a new life with him in Luxembourg.
The relationship was why Ms Barter – without telling her family – changed her name to Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel and was encouraged by Mr Blum to sell her house.
Ms O’Sullivan found the pair travelled in England “for at least some period of time” in 1997. In October 1997, Ms Barter transferred $80,000 to an unknown account “on the encouragement of Mr Blum”, it was found.
The inquest heard Mr Blum was in communication with Ms Barter after she returned from overseas in August 1997.
Ms O’Sullivan also said the initial police investigation into her disappearance “was not adequate”.
She recommended police and specifically the NSW Commissioner of Police to investigate Ms Barter’s death.
Ms O’Sullivan closed the inquest by reading from a family statement shared by Ms Barter’s daughter Sally Leydon.
“She (Ms Barter) was a kind caring soul with a wicked laugh,” Ms O’Sullivan read.
“She was intelligent, she was cultured and she was a very generous human.”