Australia Australia - Marion Barter, 51, missing after trip to UK, June 1997 #12

[TootsieFootsie]

I found the check your facts bit kind of insulting and a put down to "other sleuths" trying to help.

 

[mishy66]

My thoughts on the latest Podcast -

poor Sally - double edge sword for her - she owes the podcast for getting her to where she is but now it seems TLV feels ownership of the story, some of the avenues they tried to pursue on the latest podcast could of harmed any potential case IMO - I predict that Sally and the TLV podcast relationship will end in tears

don't forgot not to send illogical, unproven, theory's and findings, and - "check your facts" - I can imagine some of the off the wall stuff they get but they did ask for it when they asked the public to help solve the case

There is no doubt, like any unsolved case, the public would be sending all sorts of 'information and theories'.
But it is a double edge sword as you say because the public hear time and time again in all unsolved cases, 'any piece of information regardless of how small is vital' and 'could be important to the case' so please send.

It isn't up to the public to decide, or to research, what is or what isn't 'vital' - they aren't the ones with all the inside knowledge. That would be up to the people working behind the scenes.

And as you say, they did ask for it. It was disappointing to hear this being said on the podcast and I too believe TLV has become bigger than the reason behind it. It sounds like a one man band IMO.

And some information given to the case by Sleuths here have become vital information to the case.

 

[BonnieB]

My thoughts on the latest Podcast -

poor Sally - double edge sword for her - she owes the podcast for getting her to where she is but now it seems TLV feels ownership of the story, some of the avenues they tried to pursue on the latest podcast could of harmed any potential case IMO - I predict that Sally and the TLV podcast relationship will end in tears

don't forgot not to send illogical, unproven, theory's and findings, and - "check your facts" - I can imagine some of the off the wall stuff they get but they did ask for it when they asked the public to help solve the case

Unfortunately, I have to agree with the first part of your post @KiwiNZ . The media beast is a law unto itself; if there is profit to be had by the powers that be, those with good intentions will be trampled. On the other hand, without the media presence, could Sally have achieved so much? IMO, attempting to contact family members and potential witnesses at this stage of proceedings was reckless and ill-considered. It reminded me of those pushy reporters who follow people on the street asking ridiculous questions knowing they won't get an answer.

 

[Deleted member 83851]

And some information given to the case by Sleuths here have become vital information to the case.

For sure!

I want to thank everyone for the incredible persistence and determination in hunting down the barest suggestion of a lead. I’m an enthusiastic websleuther but not much of an investigator and I really marvel at the skills you all possess, and also the depth of background you have built.

 

[Podcast Tragic]

Only 2 more sleeps until.....Good morning Mr Blooooom. Is 3 days enough to give answers to what happened to Marion? At the rate Mr Bloooom answers questions I doubt it.

 

[sunnybree]

This new podcast episode felt like filler, and they should not have been contacting all of those witnesses. I’m looking forward to the rest of the inquest but not sure how much useful information is going to be obtained from RB. I noticed the tacked on apology to the real FR too. I just think now of Sally, I hope that she may get some more answers at the end of this.

 

[ruby925]

If MB was duped by a romance scam..I am just watching a couple of romance fraud cases investigated by a BBC TV programme. Seems unbelievable that, in two unconnected cases, the women eventually sold their houses to send money to romance scammers they had never even met. Core themes are loneliness and keeping secrets. Heartbreaking.

 

[BonnieB]

If MB was duped by a romance scam..I am just watching a couple of romance fraud cases investigated by a BBC TV programme. Seems unbelievable that, in two unconnected cases, the women eventually sold their houses to send money to romance scammers they had never even met. Core themes are loneliness and keeping secrets. Heartbreaking.

It does seem hard to understand, doesn't it? These men are predators; just pure evil.

 

[Eyespywithmylittleeye]

re latest podcast

I honestly saw no point to it. Great that they have other interviews but why mention anything that can’t be revealed especially in the middle of inquest.

the apology to The real Remakel was quite back handed - hey sorry for turning up at your door bombarding you and not actually believing what you said .. but we don’t regret it.. what the? That’s not an apology - it was more of a ‘ah well’

mocking of information being sent through by the public.. well honestly don’t ask for it if you don’t want it. I agree with fact checking BUT let’s not forget that if the public send information they are limited with the amount of fact checking they can do… access to certain records etc. that can only be obtained by authorities…so rather than mock how bout you just don’t mention it.. the old saying ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say it’

I think TLV have done wonderful things for bringing this case into the spotlight and helping Sally with getting information out there, the awareness is what got MB to missing persons list and police actually realising there is and has been a woman missing for a very long time and to actually investigate it.

but right now IMO TLV need to sit back and let AC do his job and perhaps lose some of their ego… this is not the time for it.

ALL JMO

 

[BonnieB]

If MB was duped by a romance scam..I am just watching a couple of romance fraud cases investigated by a BBC TV programme. Seems unbelievable that, in two unconnected cases, the women eventually sold their houses to send money to romance scammers they had never even met. Core themes are loneliness and keeping secrets. Heartbreaking.

I can imagine RB slipping comfortably into the FNR persona when he met Marion; he was, after all, living his 'fantasy' as Monique's ex-husband. If we assume he had practiced the FNR identity with other unsuspecting women in 1995/6, he probably had his story down pat.
Marion would have been thoroughly convinced that he was indeed, FNR; the man of her dreams with his connection to her soccer playing ex-husband, Johnny Warren for whom she still held fond memories.
As FNR, he could relate romantic stories of Luxemborg, Switzerland, France and Belgium with ease. His reason for being in Australia no doubt, included his multi-million dollar business interests, possibly with the Australian Government (therefore the need for secrecy)
He love bombed Marion and promised her everything she ever wanted; marriage, a honeymoon on the Orient Express and a comfortable ever after in beautiful Luxemborg. FNR was verifiable had Marion wished to check; FNR did live in Luxembourg and played soccer in 1968!
IMO, Had all gone to plan, Marion would have found herself penniless in Europe, the police would have been knocking on the real FNR's door in Luxembourg and RB would have disappeared into thin air.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Excellent post!

re latest podcast

 

[ruby925]

I can imagine RB slipping comfortably into the FNR persona when he met Marion; he was, after all, living his 'fantasy' as Monique's ex-husband. If we assume he had practiced the FNR identity with other unsuspecting women in 1995/6, he probably had his story down pat.
Marion would have been thoroughly convinced that he was indeed, FNR; the man of her dreams with his connection to her soccer playing ex-husband, Johnny Warren for whom she still held fond memories.
As FNR, he could relate romantic stories of Luxemborg, Switzerland, France and Belgium with ease. His reason for being in Australia no doubt, included his multi-million dollar business interests, possibly with the Australian Government (therefore the need for secrecy)
He love bombed Marion and promised her everything she ever wanted; marriage, a honeymoon on the Orient Express and a comfortable ever after in beautiful Luxemborg. FNR was verifiable had Marion wished to check; FNR did live in Luxembourg and played soccer in 1968!
IMO, Had all gone to plan, Marion would have found herself penniless in Europe, the police would have been knocking on the real FNR's door in Luxembourg and RB would have disappeared into thin air.

Interestingly, it seems these fraudsters often refer to themselves as the husband, even though they have never even met the victim (one poor woman downsized her house 4 times to get more money for him until she ended up in a caravan). This scam went on for 7 years (!) and then she was scammed a second time. The criminals know exactly what buttons to press at each stage of the crime, so it is easy to see how MB would have been drawn in, so upsetting. Oh yes, the Orient Express was definitely the honeymoon....

 

[Eyespywithmylittleeye]

Excellent post!

Thanks Toots it really annoyed me lol

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Same here EyeSpy.

And you covered all the points that annoyed me too.

Thanks Toots it really annoyed me lol

 

[BonnieB]

Interestingly, it seems these fraudsters often refer to themselves as the husband, even though they have never even met the victim (one poor woman downsized her house 4 times to get more money for him until she ended up in a caravan). This scam went on for 7 years (!) and then she was scammed a second time. The criminals know exactly what buttons to press at each stage of the crime, so it is easy to see how MB would have been drawn in, so upsetting. Oh yes, the Orient Express was definitely the honeymoon....

Well, doesn't the "husband" line fit well with Marion's case. He obviously conned her completely that she was about to become Mrs. FNR. I hope AC crucifies him over the next 3 days, I really do.

 

[KiwiNZ]

re latest podcast

I honestly saw no point to it. Great that they have other interviews but why mention anything that can’t be revealed especially in the middle of inquest.

the apology to The real Remakel was quite back handed - hey sorry for turning up at your door bombarding you and not actually believing what you said .. but we don’t regret it.. what the? That’s not an apology - it was more of a ‘ah well’

mocking of information being sent through by the public.. well honestly don’t ask for it if you don’t want it. I agree with fact checking BUT let’s not forget that if the public send information they are limited with the amount of fact checking they can do… access to certain records etc. that can only be obtained by authorities…so rather than mock how bout you just don’t mention it.. the old saying ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say it’

I think TLV have done wonderful things for bringing this case into the spotlight and helping Sally with getting information out there, the awareness is what got MB to missing persons list and police actually realising there is and has been a woman missing for a very long time and to actually investigate it.

but right now IMO TLV need to sit back and let AC do his job and perhaps lose some of their ego… this is not the time for it.

ALL JMO

Perfectly said ! totally agree

 

[KiwiNZ]

IMO, Had all gone to plan, Marion would have found herself penniless in Europe, the police would have been knocking on the real FNR's door in Luxembourg and RB would have disappeared into thin air.

with the jealousy he must harbor over MC and real FR's friendship, she clearly stills admires and thinks highly of him , throwing the real FR under the bus would have been the icing on the cake for RB

 

[Itsapuzzle]

I'm fascinated with RB's career as a photographer. So, he apparently took some photos of bald headed babies in the hospital at some point, a few weddings - he signs on his passenger cards "photographer", "press photographer" - and then in Australia he just seems to effortlessly walk into the job as a photographer at the AAP. Must have had a fabulous resume? It's absolutely fascinating. MOO

 

[BonnieB]

I'm fascinated with RB's career as a photographer. So, he apparently took some photos of bald headed babies in the hospital at some point, a few weddings - he signs on his passenger cards "photographer", "press photographer" - and then in Australia he just seems to effortlessly walk into the job as a photographer at the AAP. Must have had a fabulous resume? It's absolutely fascinating. MOO

I agree and I'm also fascinated by his "Forest Gump like" involvement in so many historic events - the Belgian king's marriage celebrations, the revolutionary protests in Belgium where the people tore up the rails and the 'melee' of the Vietnam War demonstrations in Sydney. Almost unbelievable!

 

[mishy66]

I'm fascinated with RB's career as a photographer. So, he apparently took some photos of bald headed babies in the hospital at some point, a few weddings - he signs on his passenger cards "photographer", "press photographer" - and then in Australia he just seems to effortlessly walk into the job as a photographer at the AAP. Must have had a fabulous resume? It's absolutely fascinating. MOO

LOL

Always found that part of his tale hilarious.
The only part of that talltale I can imagine is a forged press photography lanyard to help get him in through customs so often, without too many questions NOT coo cooing at babies and whipping up romantic wedding images on his polaroid