Ric Blum gives evidence at Marion Barter inquest

A convicted conman has told an inquest into the disappearance and presumed death of schoolteacher Marion Barter that she wanted to “separate” from her family.

Ric Blum, 83, was called to give evidence in the Marion Barter inquest. Picture: MEDIA-MODE

A key witness into the disappearance and presumed death of Gold Coast primary school teacher Marion Barter has told the court she wanted to “separate from her family”.

Ric Blum, 83, appeared before the court via audiovisual link dressed in a dark grey striped pullover with Senior Counsel Matthew White on Friday.

Magistrate and State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan noticed Mr Blum struggling in court on Thursday.

She allowed him to appear via audio visual link to deliver remaining evidence on Friday.

The inquest heard Mr Blum believed Ms Barter was still alive, but he denied any knowledge of where she could be.

Ms Barter’s disappeared from Southport, Queensland almost 26 years ago in 1997 and she had a relationship with Mr Blum for a time, the inquest heard.

Marion Barter vanished at age 51.

“I can’t tell you exactly when. But in a conversation before she went to England, she said she wants to separate from her family,” Mr Blum said on Thursday.

“She didn’t want anything to do with any member of her family.”

Mr Blum told the inquest: “She was a bit of a strange person.”

He claimed he had the conversation with Ms Barter in her Queensland home.

“She’s had enough of her family,” Mr Blum said.

Senior Counsel assisting the Coroner Adam Casselden sought clarification on whether the conversation took place in Queensland or Wollongbar in northern NSW.

“No, it was a place in Queensland,” Mr Blum said.

He told the inquest the subject came up in general conversation and he remembered it because it was “a bit strange”.

Bradley Smith QC, who was acting for Ms Barter’s daughter Sally Leydon, probed Mr Blum for more information about Ms Barter’s disappearance, but the convicted conman said he knew nothing.

Mr Casselden suggested to the inquest Mr Blum was lying.

“It’s not a lie,” Mr Blum replied.

Ric Blum outside Lismore Courthouse. Picture: MEDIA-MODE

Mr Blum omitted to volunteer information earlier because he was “never asked”, the inquest heard.

He said he “couldn’t remember” conversations with police seeking interviews in 2021.

Mr Blum became agitated when Mr Casselden suggested he may have finally provided some explanation why Ms Barter vanished.

“I had no idea of the importance of it,” Mr Blum said.

“I thought she was joking.”

The inquest heard claims Ms Barter’s whereabouts were known in mid-October 1997 – that she was in Australia, safe and well, starting a new life and did not want her location known.

Mr Casselden read from a previous inquest transcript that Mr Blum said he had “read somewhere” that Queensland Police told him Ms Barter had gone into a cult society.

“Do you (Mr Blum) have any personal knowledge of Marion Barter wanting to start a new life and not having her whereabouts known?” Mr Casselden asked.

Mr Blum appeared rattled and upset as he raised his voice: “I don’t remember”.

“That’s how it works in my head,” he told the inquest.

“I remember things now I won’t remember this afternoon.”

Ric Blum outside Lismore Courthouse. Picture: MEDIA-MODE

Mr Blum seemed distressed as he explained his memory was spotty.

Mr Casselden read previous claims by Mr Blum that Ms Barter came and “picked up her boxes” and he never saw her again.

At the time, Mr Blum claimed police advised Ms Barter was living in a motel.

Mr Casselden asked: “Was that not the ideal opportunity to volunteer the information that you volunteered to Her Honour yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, in relation to Marion wanting to separate from her family?”

Mr Blum reiterated he could not remember most of the previous inquest in Ballina.

He was accused of “dropping his guard” by revealing new information and of knowing more about the disappearance of Ms Barter than he was letting on.

“No, I don’t know anything at all,” Mr Blum told the inquest.

Mr Smith spoke of Mr Blum’s previous statement in April 2022 – that if he had known anything about Mr Barter’s disappearance he would “have said it a long time ago”.

Sally Leydon with her mother Marion Barter in the last photo they had taken together. Picture: Facebook

Mr Blum claimed the pressure he was put under made him forget.

“I don’t remember, so sorry I just don’t,” he said.

“I can’t provide, I don’t know.

“I wasn’t seeing her – what do you want me to say?”

Mr Blum was allowed to leave the courtroom and the inquest was adjourned to determine findings.