Lol, this story is so confusing that I needed a refresher. I went back and listened to Casselden's opening speech from last week, where he summarises RB's witness statement:
RB, previously known as FDdH and WW, claims he had an affair with Marion (Warren) during the mid 60's. She was there with Socceroo husband, Johnny Warren for a training camp. RB said he was known as Willy Wouters at that time and that he met Marion at the hotel lobby.
Marion was married to JW from 67 to 69. Records show she travelled 'overseas' between Sep 1968 to Feb 1969. We know she was definitely in England around Sept 1968 but we've never heard of Marion potentially having been in Switzerland until now.
RB admits he placed the Monsieur FN Remakel ad in the Le Courrier in 94 - the one that has the Lennox Head PO Box and Ballina ph number. And that he was looking for a French speaking friend. We don't know if Marion ever saw the Le Courrier ad.
RB claims that years later Marion (Barter) placed a 'lonely hearts' ad herself around 95 0r 96, and HE responded to HER. At this time, he went by the name Ric. Because of the name change, he claims he did not know it was the same Marion, they talked on the phone, met up for a meal or drink and went back to her house, then spent 3 or 4 nights together. At this time, she told him personal info about herself, her family and her job.
RB claims that after Marion resigned, he went to TSS with her to pick up some books. After she sold her house, she asked him to store boxes at his house in Wollongbar in Lismore and they arrived by a removalist. For reference, Wollongbar is a 20 min drive from Ballina central. Given what we know of Marions's movements, Police believe these incidents would have happened between April and May of 1997.
RB claims about a week later, Marion went to collect the boxes at his house with a tall man in his 50s who might be a navy officer or pilot. Marion and the man were going to Europe to go on the Orient Express. She was going to live in the UK with the man and wanted to open a private school in England. This was the last time he saw her.
Police say RB was a photographer and coin dealer who travelled frequently to Europe in the 80s and 90s, primarily to Belgium, for work and personal reasons. He also lived in a number of states in Australia.
Police say they have records that Ric Blum obtained a QLD licence in the name Fernand Nikolaus Remakel, many years before Marion changed her name and disappeared.
On YouTube, search: 'Coroners Court of New South Wales'.
Video: Inquest into the disappearance of Marion Barter (aka Florabella Natalia Remakel) - Day one
Timestamp: 4:04:26
Answering someone else's question, it's an uncanny coincidence that there is also another man named FNMR in Luxembourg who was a professional soccer player, but we don't know if he ever met Johnny Warren or Marion. That FNMR claims to never have been to Australia. And there are no passports in or out of Aus in the name of FN Remakel, other than Marion.
Short version
RB admits to being Mr FNR and records show he had a QLD licence in that name. He also admits he knew Marion and had an intimate relationship with her, including seeing her shortly before she (coincidently) changed her name to his alias, went overseas and disappeared. Had also admits to going to her workplace and having her belongings in his house. What do you think?
