The inquest into the presumed death of Gold Coast teacher and mum Marion Barter has reopened in Lismore – and there has been claims aired about a suspect’s “interest in poison”.
Ms Barter, 51, disappeared from Southport, Queensland almost 26 years ago on June 22, 1997.
The hearing has reopened before NSW Coroner Theresa O’Sullivan at Lismore Courthouse.
Senior counsel assisting the Coroner Adam Casselden told the inquest he had discovered new findings in the relationship between Marion Barter and Ric Blum.
Marion Barter, aged 51, was last seen at a bus depot on Scarborough Street, near Railway St in Southport, Queensland on Sunday. June 22, 1997.
Convicted conman Mr Blum told police he had an affair with Ms Barter, the inquest has heard – but he has always vigorously denied any involvement in her disappearance or death.
The inquest previously heard women approached police to accuse Mr Blum of theft and deception.
Mr Casselden told the inquest the Ballina man had a tendency to pursue dishonest relationships with vulnerable middle-aged women.
“He represented himself as Fernand Remakel when Marian must not have been aware of his true identity, and the fact that he was married with children,” he said.
The inquest heard Mr Blum convinced Ms Barter they would start a new life together when he “clearly had no intention” of doing so.
Ric Blum in Bali.
However, it was not established Mr Blum played any causative role in Ms Barter choosing to sell her home or resign from her job before she went missing.
Ms Barter flew overseas for what she described as a year-long holiday in Europe and she flew back in August 1997 with the name Florabella Natalia Mario.
Family never heard from her again.
The inquest heard of interactions Mr Blum had with two women in Europe in the year’s following Ms Barter’s disappearance – Ghislaine Danlois-Dubois in 2006 and a woman referred to as “Charlotte” in 2012.
“In particular, Ms Danlois-Dubois alleges that in 2006 Mr Blum encouraged her to sell her house and move to Australia to start a new life with him,” Mr Casselden said.
Marion Barter’s disappearance has hit headlines across the globe.
“It is both necessary and desirable to reopen the proceedings to receive this new evidence.”
The inquest heard witnesses due to be called included Andree Flamme, who claims Mr Blum met her in Brussels and stole her late husband’s valuable coin collection in 2010.
Mr Blum is also expected to be called and examined.
Ghislaine Danlois-Dubois was the first witness questioned about a relationship with a man known to her as Frederick David De Hedervary.
Ms Danlois-Dubois gave evidence via audio visual link from Europe.
The inquest heard Ms Danlois-Dubois identified Ric Blum to also be Frederick David De Hedervary when Mr Casselden showed her two photographs.
Ms Danlois-Dubois said Mr Blum took her to dinner and spoke about poison “too much”.
“I was afraid of him, yes,” Ms Danlois-Dubois told the inquest.
Ric Blum outside Byron Local Court on a previous occasion. Picture: Tessa Flemming
“This thing about poison, (it) was very important to him.
“In the end I was really worried about his interest in poison.
“I was afraid of him and don’t understand why I didn’t get rid of him.”
Ms Danlois-Dubois told the inquest she hoped her testimony could help console Ms Barter’s daughter Sally Leydon as she searched for answers.
Mr Casselden said the investigation into Ms Barter was open and ongoing.
He urged anyone with information to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
Marion Barter: Desperate search for answers about missing mum
Monday: A hearing is set to start this week to examine new evidence in the North Coast inquest probing the disappearance and presumed death of Gold Coast mum-of-two Marion Barter.
The hearing before NSW Coroner Theresa O’Sullivan is due to begin at Lismore Courthouse about 10am on Wednesday.
Ms Barter, a teacher, disappeared from Southport, Queensland on June 22, 1997 – almost 26 years ago.
Marion Barter before her disappearance.
Coroner O’Sullivan was expected to deliver findings on the case more than three months ago, but she then revealed further hearings would be needed following more allegations of wrongdoing directed at convicted conman Ric Blum.
The inquest heard Mr Blum, a Ballina man, admitted to having an affair with Ms Barter before she vanished – but he has repeatedly denied any involvement in her disappearance.
The inquest previously heard a number of women have approached police without being prompted, accusing Mr Blum of theft and deception.
Ric Blum enters Byron Bay Local Court during previous inquest proceedings. Picture: Tessa Flemming
Ms Barter’s disappearance has intrigued the nation and there has been headline after headline published on the bizarre missing persons case.
In 2022, the reward for information was increased to $500,000.
Ms Barter was last seen by her family before she flew overseas for what was meant to be a year-long holiday in Europe, including the United Kingdom.
Marion Barter and her former husband, Australian soccer legend Johnny Warren.
Ms Barter jetted back into Australia in August 1997 under the name Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel – but her family never heard from her again.
Ms Barter was last seen by the public at a Scarborough St, Southport bus depot on the day in June of 1997 and family reported her missing in October, it was previously heard.
She was observed by family leaving a service station in Southport in a red Honda Civic, with a tall male spotted in the car, in the weeks leading up to the disappearance.
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Ballina and Byron Bay hearings largely focused on Ms Barter’s relationship with Mr Blum, who the inquest heard allegedly scammed several women across Sydney and the North Coast.
Ms Barter’s daughter Sally Leydon previously said it was “heartbreaking” someone may have information about her mother and decide not to come forward.
Marion Barter.
“My family has been through the ringer. My husband and I had our engagement party two weeks before my mum went missing so he’s stood by my side the entire time and I now have three gorgeous kids but I see the stress in their eyes now too,” she said.
“I have had to do everything I possibly can to get answers that I need. I can’t rest.”