Australia Australia - Marion Barter, 51, missing after trip to UK, June 1997 #11

[Eyespywithmylittleeye]

He told police that last time he saw MB was when she dropped off tea chests to his home in wallanbah nsw

DDH testified that the last time RB told her he saw MB was in Queensland

possible part of the reason RB had to pull the my wife has a bad memory card

But that then also contradicts the last time I saw her was with pilot collecting her things from his house

 

[Nnbee]

Oh remember when he faked a tear saying DdH was the only one to survive and then pulls out a Wikipedia page for her memory condition. That was a good laugh.

 

[KiwiNZ]

But that then also contradicts the last time I saw her was with pilot collecting her things from his house

Sorry I was just quoting what the lawyer put to DDH on the last day of her evidence, he only said your husband has told police the last time he saw MB was when she dropped tea chests at your home in wallanbah nsw, but he told you the last time he saw MB was in Queensland, can you see the issue the police have with this ?

He didn't elaborate and mention the pilot / man in uniform when he said this to her ... I think he was just trying to put some doubt in DHH mind, that maybe her husband does lie lol

However on day one - yes they did say he claimed she dropped the tea chests / boxes off at his wallanbah nsw with a man in uniform.

I can't remember if they questioned RB himself on the stand re this, or if that will come at the next inquest ?

 

[Roseberry]

Thank you - gosh it really feels like she is travelling alone to me, only because we know from JO and DDH, that RB seems like a real kill joy and not interested in seeing the sights or doing anything of any real entertainment, only interested in ways of fleecing people - with JO he took her to slums in Bali and with his wife and family sounds like he liked to take trips without them or to get away from them.

Well, I suspect that's possibly a very important thing to consider. He took JO exactly where he suggested, then only visited a slum in Bali, then gave her a suitcase, which he deposited in a locker in Amsterdam. And with MB, also a suitcase, also deposited in a locker. He seems disinterested in the women, and the trips, except for certain aspects. He avoids travelling with the women, or only alongside them, or at some remove. Or they travel entirely independently of him.

 

[KiwiNZ]

Well, I suspect that's possibly a very important thing to consider. He took JO exactly where he suggested, then only visited a slum in Bali, then gave her a suitcase, which he deposited in a locker in Amsterdam. And with MB, also a suitcase, also deposited in a locker. He seems disinterested in the women, and the trips, except for certain aspects. He avoids travelling with the women, or only alongside them, or at some remove. Or they travel entirely independently of him.

agree - he tries to distance himself once he gets them where he wants them, has to take a trip to Europe etc... I cant imagine he is sightseeing and visiting antique shops, I cant even see him staying in a B&B

 

[KiwiNZ]

did anyone find the passenger cards for the walker family leaving for Europe on the "Russian ship" in 1970(?) would love to know the name of the ship so we can see the route it took

 

[Roseberry]

Thank you - gosh it really feels like she is travelling alone to me, only because we know from JO and DDH, that RB seems like a real kill joy and not interested in seeing the sights or doing anything of any real entertainment, only interested in ways of fleecing people - with JO he took her to slums in Bali and with his wife and family sounds like he liked to take trips without them or to get away from them.

Well, I suspect that's possibly a very important thing to consider. He took JO exactly where he suggested, then only visited a slum in Bali, then gave her a suitcase, which he deposited in a locker in Amsterdam. And with MB, also a suitcase, also deposited in a locker. He seems disinterested in the women, and the trips, except for certain aspects. He avoids travelling with the women, or only alongside them, or at some remove. Or they travel entirely independently of him.

agree - he tries to distance himself once he gets them where he wants them, has to take a trip to Europe etc... I cant imagine he is sightseeing and visiting antique shops, I cant even see him staying in a B&B

Lol, I agree, he's not sightseeing and visiting antique shops, or staying anywhere he doesn't have a connection to, unless it's unavoidable.

 

[centred]

Sorry I was just quoting what the lawyer put to DDH on the last day of her evidence, he only said your husband has told police the last time he saw MB was when she dropped tea chests at your home in wallanbah nsw, but he told you the last time he saw MB was in Queensland, can you see the issue the police have with this ?

He didn't elaborate and mention the pilot / man in uniform when he said this to her ... I think he was just trying to put some doubt in DHH mind, that maybe her husband does lie lol

However on day one - yes they did say he claimed she dropped the tea chests / boxes off at his wallanbah nsw with a man in uniform.

I can't remember if they questioned RB himself on the stand re this, or if that will come at the next inquest ?

he was questioned and asked specific questions about the day he last saw MB in her house and he was asked "what was said between them " ? basically he said he cannot recall the actual conversation .

I was confused because i was expecting him to be asked about the day with the pilot .

I just noticed you said "dropping off " when it was said by MR AKA They were picking them up and going off together , I am guessing the dropping them off was more like him picking them up that day she was packing .

Either way the story of whether the boxes/possessions were in his possession , sounds true and they must have proof or his say so at some point.

 

[Jamaha]

did anyone find the passenger cards for the walker family leaving for Europe on the "Russian ship" in 1970(?) would love to know the name of the ship so we can see the route it took

Shota Rustaveli departed Sydney 19.1.70
View digital copy
record page 2457

 

[KiwiNZ]

I just noticed you said "dropping off " when it was said by MR AKA They were picking them up and going off together , I am guessing the dropping them off was more like him picking them up that day she was packing .
.

True sorry my mistake day one statement was "picking up" not "dropping off"

what I cant figure is was his statement in June 24hrs after the police doorstep him, or the 2nd statement ? Because if June he was either already listening to the podcast, which I doubt IMO or did some full on study on the case in 24hrs before the statement.

 

[KiwiNZ]

Shota Rustaveli departed Sydney 19.1.70
View digital copy
record page 2457

Thank you

 

[Estelle]

I need to address an elephant in the room ...

Did i imagine the part where Mr AKA described the airline pilot and MB coming to pick up her boxes he stored for her before they went off overseas together ?

Does that imply RB claimed that MB and the pilot actually went to RB's Wollongbar house to pick up her boxes?

 

[Lord Peter Flimsy]

Dearest Sal and Chris

Hope you are both well and I guess eagerly looking forward to your snowy trip - (Have a great time!) Did Chris get the new job in Brisbane and have been wondering how you got on with the Police interview. Couldn’t remember the dates. Am beginning to feel much more relaxed. ?Mini spotting with you. So many times I wanted to talk to you. Everyone over here is so friendly and helpful with directions … I really quite like just being a ‘tourist’ I’ve decided. Experienced the “tube” travel around London to see the sights and of course drop into -Harrods- David Jones - move over!! What a shop! So crowded! So many staff! Eagerly looking forward to seeing Van Gogh's Sunflowers and revisit Holland. Lots of love Mum xx

Postcard from The Cat Shop, Brighton. Sent from Hastings 7th July.

Dearest Noni, Margie and Dub (I'm not sure I read the names right)

Hope you are all well. Thinking of you as I passed this interesting little shop! Having a wonderful time exploring and am finally beginning to relax. Because of all my luggage I decided to hire a little car and have been rather brave motoring “carefully” about this gorgeous place. I’m shortly off to Amsterdam. Please give love to sister D and hope she’s home safely after a wonderful trip x

Dear Sal,

Thinking of you as I explore the quaint little shop on my tour to the historic village of Alfriston. Am feeling more relaxed - so much … … every day. So I’m in my element. Next stop …(can’t read - if you have got a better copy I can transcribe)


Postcard of Rye sent from Hastings 7 ineligible 1997 (possibly 7July?)

Dearest sister and family. Hope you are well.

It’s so special being back in this beautiful country after 30 years. This little village of Rye is so quaint and historic Not far from Hastings and the battle of 1066. Lots of interesting ruins and castles etc. Not so impressed with the beaches and cobblestones. No sand and people still sunbathe. It’s a gorgeous warm morning today. Great after a chilly and rainy few days. Food is great, though quite expensive. Antique shops are unbelievable and I feel quite peaceful and at home staying at an old farm oast with a nice family. I have seen squirrels and rabbits all over the countryside and green and blue spruces and silver birch trees growing wild. Lots of love to the family xxx plus the most gorgeous hanging baskets you’ve ever seen.


The strand, Winchelsea postcard sent from Tunbridge Wells 7 August 1997

Sister dear “Hi” hope you and the family are well. I’m having a ball. England is so beautiful and so much to see,do, explore, learn, eat and op shops galore. I say to myself, where’s Leep? Good bargains too. It's sad because I can’t possibly buy one more thing. Talk about shop till you drop. I’m totally in my element. Beautiful gardens, weather’s been fine, Wearing shorts. Delayed my Orient trip till late August, first available rebooking due to earlier rain and floods in Germany. I don’t want to leave The UK just yet. Heaps of private schools. Could’ve had a job at a local village school, relief but not ready yet. Lovely families in old oast houses I’ve stayed with and b&bs. Meet a Dutch dentist and a lady called Maz. Love you heaps M xxx xxx

That's all I've got. Has anyone got the letter written on Narita letterhead? Or others I can transcribe?

The transcript to the Alfriston postcard

 

[Roseberry]

The transcript to the Alfriston postcard

Thank you for the 'real' squirrel. I always thought it was real rather than 'red'. But moreover, it seems she was in the country at the oasts - with rabbits and the 'farm oast, with a lovely family', doesn't seem like a stranger village-based B&B, then? Seems to me more like she's staying with a family of. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Lord Peter Flimsy]

This is the transcript (sorry a few misspellings) of the letter to Sally. I’ve removed the final paragraph as there is some personal info on there.

Marion did send more postcards to other family members & friends but sadly these were destroyed before it became apparent she was missing.

 

[Binniem]

RSBM
Personally I doubt a bank would transfer that large of an amount by phone, plus we have been told MB went into the bank.

Also, a bank won't consider it an account transfer if the target account is in another person's name. In that case it would be a payment to a third party.

If that had been the case, once inquiries were launched about her disappearance, IMO the bank would have cooperated and told police that MB made a payment of $80K to a person named X, with bank account y at this bank z, and police would have followed up.

Instead, they said she transferred the money to her own account and she insisted that when her family inquired after her, as they inevitably would, she didn't want to be found.

IMO, she didn't just mention that in passing. For MB to transfer her $$ to a new account, in a new name, she must have shown someone who knew her (ie recognized her as their customer, not a stranger in a wig) her change of name documents, her new passport, her new bank account documents in her new name, and so forth, before they would agree to do an 'account transfer'.

Similarly, at the receiving end, there's a clear difference between a deposit from a third party, and a transfer from the owner's other account.

Now, possibly that was, or became, a joint account with another person, and that's how her money was taken from her, but IMO it had to be MB who put her own money there. Banks aren't careless or naive about fraud, preventing it is their primary business.

JMO

ETA Forgot to mention matching signatures...

I started working for CBA in 1999, in phone banking. There was no way to transfer to an account with another bank or in another name over the phone, unless you had an authority and the other persons account was linked to your keycard.

 

[Roseberry]

I started working for CBA in 1999, in phone banking. There was no way to transfer to an account with another bank or in another name over the phone, unless you had an authority and the other persons account was linked to your keycard.

That's good info @Binniem, so what were the conditions of authority and how could a link be made? Bearing in mind this could have been organised over4-5 years prior.

 

[centred]

Does that imply RB claimed that MB and the pilot actually went to RB's Wollongbar house to pick up her boxes?

Yes it did Estelle , hence the questions about DDH seeing or noticing or not in the garage

 

[Binniem]

That's good info @Binniem, so what were the conditions of authority and how could a link be made? Bearing in mind this could have been organised over4-5 years prior.

It would have to have been done in branch, with permission from both parties. The account was linked to the card as a secondary account, and could be used at an ATM for withdrawals. There was a special way to transfer or you had to talk to a staff member, it wasn’t as simple as doing a transfer between your own accounts.

 

[Binniem]

It would have to have been done in branch, with permission from both parties. The account was linked to the card as a secondary account, and could be used at an ATM for withdrawals. There was a special way to transfer or you had to talk to a staff member, it wasn’t as simple as doing a transfer between your own accounts.

And just to add to that, if you wanted to transfer to another bank, it could only be done in the branch for a fee. Usually people would withdraw the cash and then walk the deposit to the other bank