Police believed Melissa Caddick was ‘on the run’ at expense of other theories

Police prioritised the belief that Melissa Caddick had gone underground at the expense of other theories, an inquest as heard.

Early police investigations into the disappearance of conwoman Melissa Caddick prioritised the theory Ms Caddick had gone into hiding to the detriment of other lines of inquiry – including that she had committed suicide or been murdered – an inquest has heard.

Detective Chief Inspector Glen Browne, then the manager of NSW’s missing persons registry, told the coroner’s court on Monday he had urged investigators to keep an open mind in their inquiries.

“I got a sense from the conversation that the primary line of inquiry being pursued at that time was that Ms Caddick was avoiding being located,” Mr Browne said.

“I felt that a specific line of inquiry was being prioritised to the detriment of others.”

Ms Caddick, 49, disappeared two years ago from her home in Sydney’s east, just hours after it was raided by the corporate regulator. ASIC has since established Ms Caddick defrauded investors, including friends and family, of up to $30 million in an elaborate Ponzi scheme.

The inquest, which resumed Monday after two weeks of hearings in September, investigated several possible theories. Among them, that Ms Caddick self-harmed by jumping off the Dover Heights cliffs, that she went underground, or that she was murdered.

There had “been reference” among police to the possibility that Ms Caddick had been harmed, including by her husband Anthony Koletti, or had self-harmed, Mr Browne said – and yet, he did not refer the matter to the homicide department.

Mr Browne said he was not inclined to question the assessments of Detective Sergeant Michael Kyneur, who was heading the investigation.

Mr Browne said he was unable to recall the steps taken to gather CCTV or survey the surrounding area during an initial 10-day investigation. Some three month’s following the disappearance, just 20 per cent of CCTV footage collected by police had been reviewed, the inquiry heard.

The premature narrowing of lines of inquiry meant crucial evidence to the contrary could be permanently lost, he agreed.

Mr Browne defended the early investigation more broadly. Limited resources meant officers were often forced to limit the lines of inquiry pursued, Mr Browne said.

“I don’t mean to sound critical of that,” he added.

“It’s something police do every day. We’re forced to draw conclusions, we’re forced to do so based on our own experience.”

The inquiry continues.