Family’s fiery defence of Melissa Caddick’s husband

Melissa Caddick’s brother has revealed intimate details of her relationship with her husband.

Melissa Caddick’s brother has leapt to the defence of the fraudster’s husband, Anthony Koletti, penning a strongly worded statement in which he hit back at so-called suggestions the hairdresser may have “harmed” her.

Ms Caddick went missing from her Dover Heights home in November 2020, with her disappearance and suspected death the subject of an inquest before the NSW Coroner’s Court.

During his evidence, Mr Koletti has been pressed on his inconsistent statements to police and on Wednesday he had to stand down from the witness box after saying he was distressed and confused by the questioning from counsel assisting Jason Downing.

Mr Koletti will resume his evidence at a future date.

In an affidavit tendered to the court, and written before Mr Koletti took the witness stand this week, Ms Caddick’s brother, Adam Grimley, said his family “categorically dismisses” the suggestion his brother-in-law was possibly involved in Ms Caddick going missing.

He said he was “floored” at counsel assisting “going after” Mr Koletti.

“I make this statement in response to the line of questioning taken by counsel assisting which suggests that my brother-in-law Anthony Koletti could have harmed my sister or is in some way complicit in her disappearance,” Mr Grimley wrote in the statement dated September 19.

Adam Grimley appearing at a public appeal for information in November 2020. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Joel Carrett

Melissa Caddick went missing in November 2020. Picture: Andy Baker

Previously, NSW Police Detective Sergeant Michael Kyneur told the court that in the early stages of the investigation some of Mr Koletti’s representations were “unusual” and he “couldn’t keep his story straight”.

He further told the court that at the time he had the view that Ms Caddick may have been alive and well and Mr Koletti may have had knowledge of her whereabouts.

Counsel assisting Louise Coleman questioned why the homicide squad was not called in early in the investigation, with Sergeant Kyneur saying there was “no evidence” of Ms Caddick having been murdered.

Detective Sergeant Michael Foscholo told the court he found “no evidence to support the theory” that Koletti played a role in Ms Caddick’s disappearance.

Melissa Caddick with her husband Anthony Koletti. Picture: Facebook

In his statement, Mr Grimley described Ms Caddick and Mr Koletti as having shared a “very close” and “loving” relationship.

“Never in the 10 years of knowing Anthony Koletti did I witness any physical fights or acts of violence between them,” Mr Grimley said.

He added: “He is an extremely gentle and kind man, and we firmly believe he would never have harmed Melissa.

“Anthony has suffered enormously from not only the loss of Melissa and the shock of Melissa‘s misconduct, but also by the unsubstantiated accusations made by parts of the media, seemingly now being pursued by counsel assisting in this inquest.”

Melissa Caddick disappeared from her Dover Heights home a day after it was raided by ASIC.

Ms Caddick disappeared on the morning of November 12, 2020 – just hours after her Dover Heights home was raided by the AFP and ASIC.

The corporate watchdog has accused Ms Caddick of operating a Ponzi scheme, misappropriating $20m-$30m worth of investor funds, including from her friends and family.

The court has heard that Mr Grimley was among his sister’s victims, but he said he was still deeply saddened by her disappearance.

“I miss my sister terribly, despite also being defrauded by her,” Mr Grimley said.

“I am shocked by her conduct, which has cost me dearly financially.”

The inquest continues.