Marion Barter inquest: Fraudster Ric Blum failed to give ‘important’ information to police and inquest

Serial fraudster Ric Blum, who has a history of swindling vulnerable women, withheld key information, inquest hears.

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

Serial fraudster Ric Blum could know more about the suspicious disappearance of Marion Barter in 1997 than he’s letting on, with an ­inquest hearing he withheld information from police that could help find the Queensland mother.

The 83-year-old was called ­before Lismore Court on Friday via video link to answer questions about what he told the inquest on Thursday but did not tell police during their inquiries in 2021.

Mr Blum was pressed hard on the evidence he gave on Thursday in which he revealed Barter, with whom he had a sexual relationship, told him she wished to leave her family and disappear, something he did not disclose during earlier coronial hearings or to the police.

Counsel assisting the inquiry Adam Casselden SC interrogated Mr Blum, who answered many of his questions with: “I can’t ­remember” or “What do you want me to say?”

“I can’t even remember the conversation I had … with police. I just don’t remember,” Mr Blum said. “I had no idea of the importance, it was just joking and what can I say? I can’t give you an ­answer, I can’t.”

Ric Blum at Lismore Local Court, Zadoc St, Lismore. MEDIA-MODE.COM

Mr Blum’s stutter became more pronounced as he was repeatedly questioned on why he did not volunteer the information earlier and was asked to go into detail about the conversation he had with then 51-year-old Barter when she shared her wishes to cut ties with her family.

“Above the discussion I had with her, I just said I remember that particular thing that she said, but that was all. I wasn’t particularly interested in anything of that kind,” he said.

“I don’t remember, just that she made that point that I thought was probably a bit strange, but otherwise I can’t ­remember where in her house, it could be in the lounge room.”

He blamed his failing memory on why he failed to provide information to police and the inquest on four occasions, in June 2021, September 2021, February 2022 and April 2022. “That’s how it works in my head. Things that I do now, I won’t remember this afternoon,” he said.

Marion Barter and her two children Sally and Owen. Picture: The Lady Vanishes/Facebook

Toward the end of the questioning, Mr Casselden asked: “The reason that you only disclosed that information for the first time yesterday, Mr Blum, (is) because you in truth know more about the disappearance of ­Marion Barter than you have been letting on through the course of this inquest and you dropped your guard yesterday afternoon and made that disclosure. Do you accept that?”

“No sir,” Mr Blum answered.

The three-day hearing has heard evidence from Mr Blum and overseas witnesses Ghislaine Dubois-Danlois and Andree Flamme.

Ms Dubois-Danlois detailed her romantic relationship with Mr Blum, known to her in 2006 as Frederick De Hedervary, during which he promised they would get married in Bali and start a new life in Australia.

Instead, the French resident claimed Mr Blum stole €70,000 and valuable ­belongings from her.

Ms Flamme, a 93-year-old Belgian grandmother, said Mr Blum stole her late husband’s coin collection from her at a time she was feeling “alone”.

Ric Blum gives a speech at the wedding of one of his daughters in Bali.

Ms Flamme was called before the court only after The Australian interviewed her. Ms Dubois-Danlois was contacted after she spoke to Belgian media.

Mr Blum’s evidence on Friday concluded the third tranche of the inquest, with its findings to be handed down at a later date.