$1 Million Reward Announced in Marion Barter Cold Case

The New South Wales Police Force has announced a $1 million reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the disappearance or death of Marion Barter.

Barter, a 51-year-old woman from the Gold Coast, was last seen in 1997. Her remains have never been recovered, and a coronial inquest concluded she had died but could not determine the time, place, or manner of death.

Background and Timeline

June 1997: Marion Barter sold her home on Queensland's Gold Coast. A confirmed sighting placed her at a bus depot in Southport, Queensland, on June 22, 1997.

Travel: Barter took a bus to Brisbane International Airport and left Australia for the United Kingdom. She had legally changed her name to Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel a month prior to her departure. Her outgoing passenger card listed her as divorced and intending to reside in Luxembourg.

August 1997: Barter is believed to have returned to Australia. An incoming passenger card stated she was married and living in Luxembourg.

October 1997: Barter was reported missing by her daughter, Sally Leydon, on October 22, 1997. The same month, it was discovered that $80,000 had been withdrawn from Barter's bank account at a Byron Bay branch by an unknown person.

2021-2024: A coronial inquest into Barter's disappearance began in June 2021 and concluded in February 2024. The inquest found that Barter had died but could not determine the time, place, or manner of death.

Investigation Details

The investigation has been the subject of the podcast "The Lady Vanishes," which has been downloaded over 20 million times. The coronial inquest heard testimony regarding Ric Blum, who used multiple aliases including Remakel. The inquest determined that Blum had further knowledge about Barter's travel and disappearance but was unwilling to disclose it. Blum's evidence was deemed unreliable, and he was not found to be directly or indirectly involved in her death.

The inquest recommended continued investigation by the NSW Police unsolved homicide team. Homicide Squad Commander Joe Doueihi stated that there have been no significant breakthroughs since the inquest and that there is currently insufficient evidence for a successful prosecution.

Reward and Statements

"There are now 1 million reasons for someone to come forward and tell us what you know."
— Sally Leydon, Barter's daughter

The $1 million reward has been offered by the NSW government and police for information that leads to a conviction. Sally Leydon, Barter's daughter, advocated for the increased reward.

"We're hoping that today's release will bring to light new information to the investigation team, which may allow us to progress the investigation."
— Homicide Squad Commander Joe Doueihi