Marion Barter: Inquest into suspicious 1997 disappearance resumes in Byron Bay

NSW Police are set to announce an increased reward for information relating to the suspicious disappearance of a missing Gold Coast woman.

The reward has been upped to half a million dollars to help track down those with information which could close the case of missing mum Marion Barter.

NSW Police have announced a $500,000 reward in the hope of flushing out any person responsible for the disappearance of Ms Barter.

The coronial inquest into the suspicious disappearance of Ms Barter, who was last seen in 1997, will resume on Wednesday at Byron Bay Local Court.

Marion Barter's daughter Sally Leydon has worked tirelessly to find out what happened to her mum. She hopes a $500,000 reward will bring the answers she seeks. Picture: Tessa Flemming

Ms Barter was last seen at a bus depot in Scarborough Street at Southport in Queensland on June 22, 1997 - with family members reporting her missing in October that year.

In the weeks leading up to her disappearance, Ms Barter was observed by family leaving a service station in Southport in a red Honda Civic Breeze with a tall male in the car.

Inquiries at the time revealed Ms Barter left Australia for the United Kingdom on June 22, 1997 under the name Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel.

Investigators believe she might have entered Australia under that name on August 2, 1997 with her passenger card saying she was married and resided in Luxembourg.

Inquiries have also revealed that her bank account was accessed by an unknown person following her disappearance.

Marion Barter's daughter Sally Leydon, on April 27 in Byron Bay. Picture: Tessa Flemming

Ms Barter’s daughter Sally Leydon said it was “heartbreaking” to think someone may have information and not come forward, as she shared her own devastation following her mum’s disappearance.

“On my 25-year journey, we know all too well that the smallest piece of information can actually lead to someone coming forward with some decent information that will actually be beneficial and help us,” she said.

“My family has been through the ringer. My husband and I had our engagement party two weeks before my mum went missing so he’s stood by my side the entire time and I now have three gorgeous kids but I see the stress in their eyes now too.

“I have had to do everything I possibly can to get answers that I need. I can’t rest.

“It causes my heart to ache everyday and I need that to stop.”

She said the reward could change somebody’s life as she described a “kind, caring” mum who would always “rock up” with a cake and flowers and loved the ballet and travelling.

“I’ve always said for forever, someone knows something,” Ms Leydon said.

“We’ve proven that along the way. We just haven’t quite got to the end of that yet.”

Marion Barter went missing in 1997.

A formal review of the case by Tweed-Byron Police District, State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice was conducted in July, 2019.

Following on from that, Strike Force Jurunga was established to investigate her disappearance.

Homicide Squad’s Detective Inspector Nigel Warren said any new information regarding Ms Barter’s disappearance is “critical”.

“If information comes forward we keep investigating the matter as much as we can,” he said.

“You can see with Sally and Chris the tenacity and love they had for their mother. It’s only reasonable we can offer further incentive to find decent information regarding anyone that might know about Marion.

“I think we’ve got a lot of answers (since they began investigating Ms Barter’s disappearance).

“Unfortunately we still need the critical answer and that is where (Sally’s) mother is.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigators and lead to the arrest or conviction of any person responsible is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Marion Barter: Inquest into suspicious 1997 disappearance resumes in Byron Bay