John Chardon, Novy Chardon: The life and times of the Gold Coast millionaire killer
John Chardon’s life had been the wildest Gold Coast rollercoaster ride, from tragic lows to soaring business success which saw him become a millionaire — and finally, disgrace in jail.
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JOHN Chardon’s life had been the wildest Gold Coast rollercoaster ride, from tragic lows to soaring business success which saw him become a millionaire — and finally disgrace in jail.
Mr Chardon, who died aged 73 of a suspected "medical incident" on Wednesday, was no stranger to tragedy before the disappearance of his wife Novy.
Before he built his Loganholme business base for the INOX range of lubricants, Mr Chardon had a different life as the struggling father of a young family, as the Bulletin report in March, 2013.
A funeral notice in the Bulletin records his first wife - Maureen Monica Chardon - died on June 23, 1996, aged 40 years.
CLAIMS OF A CONFESSION THE JURY DIDN’T HEAR
"Much loved wife of John and loving mother to Candice and Angela," the funeral notice said.
About 20 relatives and friends attended Mrs Chardon's funeral service four days later, at 3pm at Nerang's Allambe Gardens.
They were advised Maureen Chardon had died of a drug overdose. "That's what we were told, that she took her own life. She was a lovely lady," a former friend said.
Asked about Mr Chardon, the friend replied: "I think he comes across as dominating, quite rude and crass. He's very abrupt."
WHERE POLICE BELIEVE NOVY WAS KILLED
But others, aware he was working hard to meet a new mortgage, regarded him as upbeat and confident about leaving a Runaway Bay rental.
Property records show a contract was signed for $212,500 for a Highland Park home just before Maureen Chardon's death.
Mr Chardon had told a friend: "I've got this invention. I have a really big opportunity."
Another friend liked his cockiness, adding: "He thought he was going to be a wealthy boy, and he turned out to be that."
NOVY CHARDON KILLING: Inside the investigation
TOP COP: 'I can't say John definitely killed his wife'
As a mechanic, Mr Chardon complained that he "could never get a good WD-lubricant spray" and by early 1987 began experimenting with INOX in aerosol sample cans.
Mr Chardon registered Candan Industries Pty Ltd, and company searches show Indonesian-born Novy Aristananda Chardon became a co-director and shareholder in October, 2002.
He was 55 and she had turned 24.
A friend of Novy Chardon told the Bulletin: "They met in Indonesia. She came to Australia when she got married to John. She's very happy, very outgoing, very down-to-earth. She will get on with everyone and anyone."
By December 2003, Mr Chardon's daughters from his first marriage - 19-year-old Angela and 18-year-old Candice - also became company directors.
Their address was listed as Upper Coomera after their father and stepmother bought a 900sq m block near bushland at a new estate for $205,000.
Two years later the couple bought a run-down shed on a 2097sq m block at Loganholme for $1 million and began building the headquarters for INOX-the Supreme Lubricants.
The company sponsored harness racing's Premiers Cup at Parklands and the couple had a race named after them - the John and Novy Chardon Parklands Christmas Cup Preview.
NOVY CHARDON: THE FINAL FATEFUL YEAR OF HER LIFE
"She (Novy) came out once or twice. They might arrange to have a table," a harness racing industry source said.
"There'd be clients on it for Premiers Cup night. They were very good in sponsorship.
"Last season they didn't get into it. (His daughter) Angie did most of the work.
"The Highland Park home was sold for $480,000 in 2007 - more than double its original price - and INOX expanded its range and exported to 25 countries.
Before Novy Chardon went missing on February 6, she was experimenting with beauty products.
A close friend told the Bulletin: "It was a hobby. She wanted to do something."
Mr Chardon, before his return from Indonesia with their daughter and son, admitted the couple was filing for divorce, but neither he, detectives or friends would speculate on the relationship.
"It's all right mate. No comment," Mr Chardon said, before hanging up the phone.
Police found his wife's blue Volvo in Bowden Court, Nerang, five days after she went missing but critical to their ongoing investigation is confirming earlier sightings of a similar vehicle in Kopps Rd, Oxenford.
"We'd be interested in anyone who has seen that car on that road to come forward, or anyone who owned a car similar to that who may have parked there," Detective Superintendent David Hutchinson said.
THE ROLLERCOASTER RIDE - September 10, 2019
JOHN Chardon’s life has been the wildest Gold Coast rollercoaster ride, from tragic lows to soaring business success which saw him become a millionaire — and finally disgrace in jail.
Before he built his Loganholme business base for the INOX range of lubricants and married Novy, Mr Chardon had a different life as the struggling father of a young family.
Chardon was working hard to meet a new mortgage. Friends have always described him as “cocky” — they recall him remaining upbeat and confident about leaving a Runaway Bay rental.
A contract had been signed for $212,500 for a Highland Park home just before his then wife, Maureen, died in June 1996.
CLAIMS OF A CONFESSION THE JURY DIDN’T HEAR
Mr Chardon had told a friend: “I’ve got this invention. I have a really big opportunity.’’
Another friend liked his confidence, adding: “He thought he was going to be a wealthy boy, and he turned out to be that.’’
As a mechanic, Mr Chardon complained that he “could never get a good WD-lubricant spray’’ and by early 1987 began experimenting with INOX in aerosol sample cans.
The door of success opened just as he lost Maureen. About 20 relatives and friends attended her funeral service. They were advised she had died of a drug overdose.
“That’s what we were told, that she took her own life. She was a lovely lady,’’ a former friend told the Bulletin.
NOVY CHARDON: THE FINAL FATEFUL YEAR OF HER LIFE
During his Supreme Court trial, where Chardon had pleaded not guilty to killing Novy, he wept when asked about his business and explained how he started it with Maureen in 1986.
“It took me about four years to come terms,” he said, speaking about Maureen’s death.
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Mr Chardon had registered Candan Industries Pty Ltd, and company searches show Indonesian-born Novy Aristananda Chardon became a co-director and shareholder in October, 2002. He was 55 and she had turned 24.
By December 2003, Mr Chardon’s daughters from his first marriage — 19-year-old Angela and 18-year-old Candice — also became company directors.
Their address was listed as Upper Coomera after their father and stepmother bought a 900 sqm block near bushland at a new estate for $205,000.
Two years later the couple bought a run-down shed on a 2097sq m block at Loganholme for $1 million and began building the headquarters for ‘INOX — the Supreme Lubricants’.
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The company sponsored harness racing’s Premiers Cup at Parklands and the couple had a race named after them — the John and Novy Chardon Parklands Christmas Cup Preview.
The Highland Park home was sold for $480,000 in 2007 — more than double its original price — and INOX expanded its range and exported to 25 countries.
In February 2013 after police issue a missing-person report for Novy, Chardon is in the media spotlight. Police begin an exhaustive investigation into his affairs.
In August 2014, Chardon was sentenced to six years jail for molesting and raping his daughter’s teenage best friend. He continued to protest his innocence.
He told police he waited until the teenager was “of age” before he approached her with an ongoing offer of $1000 for sex, as long as she signed a confidentiality agreement.
While seeing the teenager, Chardon had travelled to Indonesia and met Novy.
By late 2015, still in jail and with Novy missing, Chardon began transferring his substantial business and property portfolio, with his older daughters from his first marriage taking control of his company.
After taking 200 statements and following more than 1000 lines of inquiry, police in June 2016 made a stunning arrest. Chardon appeared in the dock of the Brisbane Magistrate’s Court charged with murdering his missing wife.
Just before 3pm today a jury returned a verdict of not guilty to murder but guilty of manslaughter.
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