Marion Barter inquest: NSW Coroner releases findings on disappearance, suspected death of Gold Coast teacher

A NSW coroner 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.

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.

Ric Blum. Picture: Tessa Flemming

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. She 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”.

Missing woman Marion Barter.

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 she 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.

Ric Blum at Lismore Courthouse. Picture: Media Mode

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 called on anyone with information to come forward and inform NSW Police.

She said there “remains many unanswered questions” and she recommended police and specifically the NSW Commissioner of Police to investigate Ms Barter’s death.

Ric Blum. Picture: Tessa Flemming

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 had so many friends who love and miss her still … she was a very generous human.”

Findings due in inquest probing disappearance of Marion Barter

Earlier: After countless twists and turns, a coroner is due to deliver her findings in the NSW inquest into the disappearance and suspected death of Gold Coast teacher and mum Marion Barter.

State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan is due to begin at Lidcombe Coroner Court.

The strange circumstances surrounding Ms Barter’s disappearance and suspected death have puzzled thousands and attracted a puzzled global following.

Marion Barter, aged 51, was last seen at a bus depot on Scarborough Street, near Railway Street, at Southport, Queensland, on June 22, 1997.

Ms Barter, a teacher, was last seen at a bus stop on Scarborough St, Southport, Queensland on June 22, 1997 – almost 27 years ago.

Shortly before leaving for what was supposed to be a year-long holiday in Europe, she changed her name to Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel.

Marion Barter.

She also resigned from her job and sold her house at a loss.

Ms Barter jetted back into Australia in August 1997 under the name Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel.

Family reported Ms Barter missing in October, it was previously heard.

Missing woman Marion Barter.

She was observed by family leaving a service station in Southport in a red Honda Civic, with a tall male spotted in the car.

Ms O’Sullivan was expected to deliver her findings on the case almost 12 months ago.

However, further hearings were needed after allegations of wrongdoing were directed at convicted conman Ric Blum, who was supposedly also known as Frederick De Hedervary and Fernant Remakel.

The inquest heard Mr Blum, a Ballina man, admitted to having an affair with Ms Barter before she vanished – but he has repeatedly denied any involvement in her disappearance.

Ric Blum entering Lismore Courthouse during the inquest. Picture: Elise Derwin/The Australian

A number of women have approached police and accused Mr Blum of theft and deception.

Ms Barter’s daughter Sally Leydon was a driving force behind the significant attention her mother’s case has garnered.

A website she set up to call attention to the case has gained an international following and more than 20 million people have downloaded The Lady Vanishes, a podcast about the case.

Missing woman Marion Barter.

Ms Leydon raised concerns about her mother’s disappearance with police and told officers her mother had been in a relationship with a North Coast man.

However the case was initially marked as an “occurrence” and not labelled a missing persons case by police, the inquest previously heard.

Today, Ms Leydon is encouraging loved ones and supporters of her mother to wear green.