Lover’s plan for ‘new life’

MARION Barter’s secret lover had previously wanted to “start a new life” in the French Riviera and boasted of his wealth and assets, his ex-girlfriend has told an inquest.

Ms Barter, a mother-of-two and award-winning schoolteacher at TSS, disappeared in 1997 while on a working holiday overseas.

The coronial inquest at Byron Bay Courthouse is examining the circumstances of her disappearance and suspected death, including whether her disappearance was intentional.

It has already been rocked by shocking revelations that Ms Barter had a secret lover called Ric Blum, whom she had been seeing not long before her disappearance, and that he used different aliases like “Frederick de Hedervary” and “Fernand Remakel”.

Janet Oldenburg, an ex-girlfriend of Mr Blum, gave evidence of her relationship with the man after being introduced through coin selling circles.

She told the court she knew him as “Ric West”.

Ms Oldenburg said he discussed setting up a computer and fax machine at her home as part of the business.

“He wanted me to look at his emails, take orders for coins and post them off (and) do coin bidding down in Sydney.”

She revealed the pair eventually began a sexual relationship and Mr

West asked her to “start a new life” with him in the French Riviera.

The court was told that Mr West had bragged of having millions of dollars in coin dealings and 20,000 acres (8093ha) of land in NSW.

Adam Casselden, counsel assisting the coroner, said Mr West had denied there were plans to settle overseas.

“I was trying to get over (my ex-husband) … I just felt very vulnerable,” Ms Oldenburg responded.

“He was telling me all these things.” Ms Oldenburg became suspicious when she noticed Mr West had different names on his personal documents.

The court was told the pair embarked on an overseas trip together but parted ways during the trip.

“He wanted to go over to France and do business, so he suggested I see my cousin in Manchester,” she said.

Ms Barter was last seen by her family at a Gold Coast bus stop in June 1997. Later investigations revealed Ms Barter changed her name to “Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel” and had flown back into Australia under that name.

A former “companion” of Mr Blum on Thursday gave evidence that they had discussed setting up a coin selling business together.

Ginette-gaffney Bowan said Mr Blum had responded to a newspaper ad she placed seeking friendship, but their “relationship” took a sinister turn.

The inquest continues.