Melissa Caddick’s brother storms out of court during missing fraudster’s inquest

The brother of missing fraudster Melissa Caddick sensationally stormed out of court on Friday after being scolded by the coroner for one “distracting” act.

Melissa Caddick’s brother has dramatically stormed out of court after being warned by a coroner about making faces.

A coronial inquest is examining the disappearance and presumed death of conwoman Melissa Caddick, who was last seen leaving her Dover Heights mansion in November 2020.

She vanished just hours after ASIC and the AFP raided her home, which doubled as her business premises, over a multimillion-dollar fraud.

The court has heard that Ms Caddick’s brother, Adam Grimley, had in June 2021 confronted ISAC investigator Isabella Allen and asked her: “How do you feel being responsible for Melissa’s death?”

At one point on Friday, Mr Grimley, who was sitting in the back of the court, had to be warned by Deputy State Coroner Elizabeth Ryan about making facial expressions during the evidence of Ms Caddick’s husband, Anthony Koletti.

Ms Ryan described Mr Grimley’s actions as “distracting” and “dramatic”.

“I’ll ask you to restrain yourself,” Ms Ryan said, adding that if he was unable to do so, he would be asked to watch proceedings in an adjoining courtroom.

Mr Grimley walked out of the courtroom at that point.

Melissa Caddick's brother, Adam Grimley, stormed out of the courtroom on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

After four days in the witness box, Mr Koletti concluded his evidence by accepting that he was deceived into believing that his wife was an honest and diligent financial adviser.

However, he maintained Ms Caddick died as result of the corporate regulator’s “negligence, cruelty and inhumanity”.

“How did you eventually come to understand that in fact Ms Caddick was a fraudster,” ASIC’s lawyer Dean Jordan SC asked.

“By paying attention to court proceedings and listening to Her Honour,” Mr Koletti told the court.

Melissa Caddick and Anthony Koletti. Picture: Supplied

ASIC has alleged that Ms Caddick ripped off $20m-$30m from investors, many of whom were her family and friends.

On November 11, 2020, ASIC raided the property, seizing business documents and luxury goods, including jewellery, clothing and shoes, that they believed were the proceeds of crime.

Mr Koletti, a part-time hairdresser and DJ, and Ms Caddick’s family have previously made allegations that they held ASIC responsible for her death.

The court has been told that in his music, under the name Paws Off, Mr Koletti raised similar allegations and in one song he sings: “We can torture you for 14 hours and then we can take whatever we want.”

In an affidavit made by Mr Koletti in July 2021, he claimed that he and Ms Caddick were denied food, water and medical attention during the 12 hours when ASIC and the AFP were present at their home.

Ms Caddick during the ASIC raid of her house. Picture: NSW Police

The court has been told that during the raid Ms Caddick drank a protein shake, Mr Koletti made her several coffees and they on occasions smoked cigarettes in their backyard.

“We weren’t denied anything,” Mr Koletti told the court on Thursday.

In his statement made last year, he further stated: “I believe (Ms Caddick) died as a direct result of ASIC’s negligence, cruelty and inhumanity.”

Despite conceding Ms Caddick was responsible for defrauding millions from investors, the raid was justified and they were allowed to roam freely around the house.

Mr Koletti still maintained ASIC was responsible for her death.

“Is that something you still say under oath today,” Mr Jordan asked.

“Yes.”

During his evidence, Mr Koletti described Ms Caddick as the decision maker during their relationship and said that he didn’t understand her work.

He was asked by Lachlan Gyles, the barrister for the NSW Police, whether he struggled in school and whether he was at the “bottom of the class”.

“In maths and English you struggled,” Mr Gyles asked.

“Yes,” Mr Koletti said.

Melissa Caddick’s foot washed up on Bournda Beach on the NSW south coast. Picture: Robert Hayson

Forensic psychiatrist Dr Kerri Eagle on Thursday told the court that it’s likely Ms Caddick suffered from narcissistic personality disorder.

Dr Eagle said when police raided her property, it would have caused a major blow to her self-esteem and self worth, which hinged on the admiration and respect of others.

Dr Eagle said people with similar disorders have been known to take their own lives after a “major insult to their self esteem”.

Under questioning from John Sutton, the lawyer representing Ms Allen, Mr Koletti agreed there was the “potential” she took her own life after realising she was set to lose her riches.

Mr Koletti has in the past criticised Ms Allen, but on Friday admitted that she acted in a professional manner during the raid.

“Ms Allen acted in a professional and distant manner towards both you and Melissa,” Mr Sutton asked.

“OK, I accept that,” Mr Koletti said.

The inquest was due to conclude on Friday, however the court is still due to hear from two more police witnesses.

Ms Ryan adjourned the inquest until late November, with the proceedings to conclude after two more days of hearing.