Australia Australia - Marion Barter, 51, missing after trip to UK, Jun 1997 #4

[Meligator]

Given how many dentists keep popping up in this story, is it weird that Marion was going to a dentist in Brisbane? Seems a little far to go for dental care. Also weird coincidence that dentist was at the Brisbane practice from 1994-1997…such critical dates.

 

[KiwiNZ]

Listening to Sally's husbands comments today kind of backed up my thinking, and I don't mean this in a judgy way, but I am not so sure Sally entirely knew what she was dealing with when she went to police, some people (like myself) are not always as pushy or steadfast in their requests in fear of wasting others time when asking for help. I am not so sure she convinced the police her mother was missing or in danger, her husband said he though someone was removing money from her account, which seem to be a separate issue from Marion not been in contact. I am kind of not surprised that the case got filed as an occurrence and the money with the bank was followed up (was some taking money without permission) but not followed through as a missing person. 2 different process

Also when followed up, which must have been shortly after, her husband said Sally accepted what the police had said, that Marion didn't want contact, but he didn't feel she believed that in herself. The police can't be expected to know what your thinking .. if verbally you have accepted the statement

Then we have a long gap, they got back on the hunt and tried to track down the removal company only to be told the paperwork no longer existed, so this must have been a few years later

so there must have been a period of time that Sally accepted this and didn't continue to look because there was things she could have done in that time herself to try and locate her.

I don't know, I don't even like saying the above, but I feel like its a fact and the police get knocked for this and its not entirely their fault IMO.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I can read those articles but I'm terrible at paraphrasing and don't know how much you're allowed to post of the ones behind a paywall

The stop looking for Mum one doesn't have anything new in it.

 

[sunnynz]

I can read those articles but I'm terrible at paraphrasing and don't know how much you're allowed to post of the ones behind a paywall

The stop looking for Mum one doesn't have anything new in it.

What was the “I’m far, far away” thing? Did Marion say that in the message about being mad about the car?

 

[TootsieFootsie]

burgerIcon

Sallys father, John Wilson was told by the Salvation Army that Marion had said to stop looking for her in Byron Bay because she was far far away and was angry at Sally for not putting the money for the sale of her car in her account.

What was the “I’m far, far away” thing? Did Marion say that in the message about being mad about the car?

 

[Jroamcleveland]

Given how many dentists keep popping up in this story, is it weird that Marion was going to a dentist in Brisbane? Seems a little far to go for dental care. Also weird coincidence that dentist was at the Brisbane practice from 1994-1997…such critical dates.

During that time most teachers were in the Teachers Union. They had a big dental and healthcare facility at Bowen Hills in Brisbane. Basically anyone in the union would go there as it was much cheaper for members. Went there as a kid all the time with my parents (teachers).

 

[Meligator]

But according to the Salvo’s (1998) the police info about Marion camd from security at Ashmore Bank. How would the Salvo (or Ashmore Bank) know Sally had been looking for her mom at Byron Bay a year earlier? I have a suspicion that the police conversations were always with Byron Bay Bank. Sounds like the employees at Ashmore knew her well & if she had said she was disappearing to start a new life, I imagine the bank employees sharing that story with one another & someone would remember now. It would be memorable to hear that from someone you know relatively well. But at a bank where no one knows her (Byron Bay), it would be a more forgettable story. Just a thought

burgerIcon

Sallys father, John Wilson was told by the Salvation Army that Marion had said to stop looking for her in Byron Bay because she was far far away and was angry at Sally for not putting the money for the sale of her car in her account.

 

[PhilOlivettifan]

I think Marion's real assets were the paintings. It would be very helpful to the inquiry if it could be discovered where these were taken for storage to determine of they remain in storage, or were taken elsewhere, or were sold off if fees were not paid.

Just listened to the podcast Part 3 of the inquest. Interesting testimony from Sally's husband Chris that the removalist used brown and gold trucks, which is very obviously Kent. Their distinctive vans are a regular sight around where I live in NSW.

Surely there will be people around who worked for (or recall people who worked for) the company 24 years ago?? Thoughts??

 

[Mel 1303]

I think Marion's real assets were the paintings. It would be very helpful to the inquiry if it could be discovered where these were taken for storage to determine of they remain in storage, or were taken elsewhere, or were sold off if fees were not paid.

Just listened to the podcast Part 3 of the inquest. Interesting testimony from Sally's husband Chris that the removalist used brown and gold trucks, which is very obviously Kent. Their distinctive vans are a regular sight around where I live in NSW.

Surely there will be people around who worked for (or recall people who worked for) the company 24 years ago?? Thoughts??

The shipping container to me is the key. Find the container, find out what happened. It was shipped somewhere, and is on someones land.

I find it interesting that Marion's son in law thought Marion wouldnt be streetwise enough to change her name by deedpoll. She had changed her name numerous times through marriage- she knew the drill. Except this time it was via deed poll not via marriage. She was a well educated, professional individual, who as a single woman had just sold her house. She doesn't sound like someone who would struggle with a deed poll name change.

I am still of the belief that Marion completely orchestrated this, and that Sally's engagement was the prompt she was waiting for. Both her children were secure in a place where they didnt need her. Whether she intended to never come back I dont know, but hopefully Sally can find the answers she needs. I was very saddened to hear that Garry Sheehan had been on sick leave for more than a year.

 

[Mel 1303]

I dont know much about shipping containers- would someone usually buy one, or rent it? Would Marion have had to purchase the shipping container?

 

[KiwiNZ]

The shipping container to me is the key. Find the container, find out what happened. It was shipped somewhere, and is on someones land.

I find it interesting that Marion's son in law thought Marion wouldnt be streetwise enough to change her name by deedpoll. She had changed her name numerous times through marriage- she knew the drill. Except this time it was via deed poll not via marriage. She was a well educated, professional individual, who as a single woman had just sold her house. She doesn't sound like someone who would struggle with a deed poll name change.

I am still of the belief that Marion completely orchestrated this, and that Sally's engagement was the prompt she was waiting for. Both her children were secure in a place where they didnt need her. Whether she intended to never come back I dont know, but hopefully Sally can find the answers she needs. I was very saddened to hear that Garry Sheehan had been on sick leave for more than a year.

Also Marion's friend said she had mention deed poll as a way of changing your name. Her friend also didn't think it would be unusually for her to miss Sally's wedding if she had something she though was more important too her.

I am finding it hard to get a real understanding of Marion since a lot of people paint her as someone whom was quite self absorbed, and others don't

 

[Deleted member 249471]

From TLV social media:

Day 9 of the inquest. Final day today. We will hear from Marion’s ex-boyfriend before she left for overseas and one of her former work colleagues.

**A surprise outcome to the inquest with Senior Counsel for the Coroner announcing that it will reconvene for 5 days in February next year to give NSW Police time to chase up other leads from our podcast investigation including the advertisement in Le Courrier Australien and interview Fernand Remakel.**

 

[Deleted member 249471]

As a refresher:

10 December 1994
‘Recontres’ ad in Le Courrier Australien

MAN, 47 years old, single, tall, brown hair, sober, non-smoker, academic, multiple property owner, intellectual, speaks several languages, is warm, motivated and hard working, with high moral values, looking for an unattached lady, who is stylish and classy for a permanent relationship with view to marriage: M.F. Remakel, Box L51, Lennox Head, NSW 2478. Tel (066) 86 4788.

Hopefully, they'll also investigate the only other 'Rencontres' ad that same day:

FRENCH, 50 years old, blonde, blue eyed, 1.52m, slim, youthful looking, loves a healthy and simple life, seeks sober French speaking man or man with French interests. Write to Marie Llimos, 221 Fontaines Ave, Wallace-St-Pierre, 84500

 

[KiwiNZ]

From TLV social media:

Day 9 of the inquest. Final day today. We will hear from Marion’s ex-boyfriend before she left for overseas and one of her former work colleagues.

**A surprise outcome to the inquest with Senior Counsel for the Coroner announcing that it will reconvene for 5 days in February next year to give NSW Police time to chase up other leads from our podcast investigation including the advertisement in Le Courrier Australien and interview Fernand Remakel.**

well that is excellent news, I was getting fearfully that they would make a finding without this information

 

[Deleted member 249471]

I think one of the 'other leads' that needs time to be followed up with had to do with witness Senior Constable Stephen McAllister who worked at NSW Police Missing Persons. He's the one who changed Marion's case from an occurrence to 'missing person' in 2007. His main evidence was already heard during the inquest but they also said they just found new evidence that will be examined at a later date to give everyone time to prepare.

 

[Brissie Sleuth]

During that time most teachers were in the Teachers Union. They had a big dental and healthcare facility at Bowen Hills in Brisbane. Basically anyone in the union would go there as it was much cheaper for members. Went there as a kid all the time with my parents (teachers).

it shows that historic background and local context is crucial in understanding the movements and behaviour of missing people

 

[Brissie Sleuth]

double post

 

[poppypopcorn]

I have to say, having listed to all of the Inquest podcast episodes so far, and read the reports online, that i'm distinctly underwhelmed. Has there really been anything "new" in terms of evidence which we didn't know before? Lots of discussion over police procedure - that's all fine and obviously their internal processes went wrong but it's not new evidence. The dentist didn't remember, the optometrist didn't remember, there were no removals records, her colleagues
had nothing to add.

So we're none the wiser than we were pre-Inquest. And despite having had a year (?) ish to prepare, it's now being adjourned for another 6 months? Poor Sally, she must think this is never going to be over.

 

[Loxoli]

alisonsandy
@alisonsandy

Surprise outcome to the inquest into Marion Barter with Senior Counsel for the Coroner announcing it will reconvene for 5 days in February 2022 to give
@nswpolice
time to chase up other leads from our podcast and interview Fernand Remakel. Watch
@7NewsAustralia
at 6 for details.

2:53 PM · Jul 2, 2021·Twitter for iPhone

Mark Leveson replied and said it’s not a surprise and it’s only fair to Marion to source as much info as possible. He’s such a gem. I’m so glad him and Faye are supporting Sally.

 

[Itsapuzzle]

Just read on the podcast page, *Update: A surprise outcome to the inquest with Senior Counsel for the Coroner announcing that it will reconvene for 5 days in February next year to give NSW Police time to chase up other leads from our podcast investigation including the advertisement in Le Courier and interview Fernand Remakel. Watch 7 News tonight at 6. A surprise outcome" - really, oh, come on! How long have they been sitting on this information, seriously, this is truly a "what in the world" moment .... and if I could borrow a quote from Batman and Robin, "holy mackerel"! I simply can't believe it, they need till February ....... good heavens .......... hey??
And while I'm at it, if I may also borrow from Charlie Brown, "I CAN'T STAND IT"