Marion Barter Make Life Changes and Vanish From Family in Australia

The disappearance of Marion Barter in 1997 remains one of Australia’s most baffling missing person cases. A dedicated school teacher and loving mother, Marion vanished after an unexpected name change, international travel, and suspicious bank activity. More than two decades later, her family is still searching for answers.

Who Was Marion Barter?

Marion Barter was born on October 3, 1945, in Australia. She was an award-winning teacher, known for her passion for education and deep love for her two children, Sally Leydon and Owen.

Before she disappeared, Marion taught at The Southport School (TSS) in Queensland and was highly respected by colleagues and students. Her commitment to nurturing young minds earned her a prestigious Queensland teaching award.

Beyond her career, Marion was described as a kind, intelligent, and independent woman who enjoyed gardening, classical music, and spending time with her family. However, her love life had been tumultuous, having been married and divorced three times.

Despite her personal struggles, she remained close to her children, making her sudden disappearance all the more mysterious.

Marion’s Sudden Life Changes in 1997

In early 1997, Marion made a series of surprising decisions that puzzled her friends and family:

• She legally changed her name to Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel in May 1997, a detail she never disclosed to her loved ones.
• She resigned from her teaching job mid-year, which was highly uncharacteristic of her.
• She sold her house in Southport, Queensland, at a loss, despite having no apparent financial difficulties.
• She gave away many of her personal belongings, including her car and valuable antiques, telling her family she planned to buy an apartment upon her return.

On June 22, 1997, Marion left Australia for England, supposedly for a year-long vacation and possibly a new teaching job. She boarded a flight alone from Brisbane, and that was the last time her family saw her.

Marion’s Last Known Movements

For the first few weeks after leaving Australia, Marion maintained contact with her daughter, Sally Leydon. She sent postcards and made phone calls, sharing enthusiasm about her travels.

Then, communication suddenly stopped in August 1997.

Later, Australian records revealed that Marion returned to Brisbane on August 2, 1997, under her new name, Florabella Remakel. However, she never contacted her family after arriving back in Australia.

Over the next few weeks, large sums of money were withdrawn from her bank account in increments of $5,000 per day from ATMs in Byron Bay, Burleigh Heads, and Ashmore, Queensland.

Her Medicare card was also used on August 13, 1997, in Grafton, New South Wales. However, there is no confirmed sighting of her after her return.

Her family only realized something was wrong when Marion failed to call her son Owen on his birthday in October 1997—something she had never missed before.

The Search for Marion and Police Investigation

In October 1997, Sally reported her mother missing to the Byron Bay police. However, the initial investigation was minimal, as police believed Marion had deliberately chosen to disappear.

Over the years, major flaws in the investigation surfaced:

• Police removed Marion from the missing persons list in 1999, without confirming her safety.
• Authorities failed to properly investigate the money withdrawals or identify who was accessing her accounts.
• It wasn’t until 2019, after public pressure, that a formal cold case review was launched.

Despite these delays and missteps, Marion’s daughter refused to give up, tirelessly seeking answers.

Suspicious Links to Ric Blum

During the coronial inquest, evidence emerged linking Marion to Ric Blum, a conman with multiple identities.

• Blum admitted to having an affair with Marion in early 1997 but claimed he had nothing to do with her disappearance.
• He had a history of deceiving women, often manipulating them into financial losses.
• Several women testified that Blum coerced them into giving him money and that he used multiple false names.

Despite these revelations, Blum was never charged, though authorities believe he knows more than he admits.

The 2024 Coronial Inquest Findings

After years of advocacy by Marion’s daughter, an official inquest into her disappearance was launched.

On February 29, 2024, the NSW State Coroner ruled that Marion was deceased, stating she likely died sometime after October 15, 1997.

However, the exact cause, place, and circumstances of her death remain unknown. The coroner also stated that Blum likely had further knowledge of the case, though there was not enough evidence to charge him.

Sally Leydon’s Fight for Justice

Throughout the 27-year search for answers, Sally has been relentless in advocating for justice for her mother.

• She created the “Missing Person Marion Barter” Facebook and Instagram pages to spread awareness.
• She worked closely with investigative journalists from The Lady Vanishes podcast, which played a crucial role in reopening the case.
• She pressured NSW authorities into reinstating Marion on the missing persons list and launching the coronial inquest.

Despite these efforts, many questions remain unanswered.

Unsolved Questions and Theories

Several theories about Marion’s disappearance persist:

• Did she voluntarily disappear?
  • Unlikely, given her close relationship with her children and untouched financial assets.
• Was she a victim of fraud or coercion?
  • Possible, given her association with Ric Blum, who had a history of manipulating women.
• Did something happen to her after her return to Australia?
  • Likely, as her bank withdrawals suggest someone else may have accessed her money.

A Family’s Hope for Answers

Despite the coroner’s ruling, Marion’s case remains unsolved, and her family continues to seek the truth.

Authorities are still offering a $500,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest or conviction related to her disappearance.

If you have any information, you are urged to contact:

• NSW Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000
• The Lady Vanishes Facebook Page

The case of Marion Barter serves as a reminder of the challenges missing persons cases present and the enduring strength of a family’s love and determination.