Melissa Caddick’s husband impersonated his wife in text messages after her disappearance, inquest hears

The husband of conwoman Melissa Caddick impersonated her in the hours after she vanished, not wanting friends and family to worry, an inquest has heard.

The husband of conwoman Melissa Caddick impersonated his wife in the hours after her disappearance from their Sydney home, and repeatedly led friends and family to believe she was alive and well, her inquest has heard.

Anthony Koletti wrote a text message to their cleaner from his wife’s phone on the day of her disappearance, pretending to be Caddick and cancelling their ­appointment, the inquiry was told by junior counsel assisting Louise Coleman.

Mr Koletti also lied to her friend Scott Little and brother Adam Grimley, claiming Caddick was at home with him, ­despite not having seen her all day, the inquest heard.

The inquiry into Caddick’s disappearance and suspected death comes after her decomposing foot was found washed up on a southern NSW beach in February last year. Caddick, who was posing as a financial adviser, disappeared from her family home in November 2020, just hours after it was raided by investigators. She did not take her phone, wallet or keys, and police believe her to be dead.

Anthony Koletti and Melissa Caddick.

The Australian Securities & Investments Commission alleges the 49-year-old used investor money to buy luxury goods and property, sending victims fictitious portfolio documents to bolster her scheme. More than 70 investors, mostly Caddick’s friends and family, were left $23m out of pocket.

Three police officers who took Mr Koletti’s missing person’s ­report were concerned by the ­accounts he provided, the inquiry heard. One officer who attended the Caddick residence after the report found him to be a “composed, relaxed and seemingly uncaring persona … unlike any other person I had taken a missing person’s report from previously”.

The inquiry continues.