The daughter of a Queensland teacher who went missing nearly 30 years ago has been joined by the NSW Police Minister in a renewed call for evidence as a $1m price tag for key information is announced.
In October 1997, Sally Leydon’s life was dramatically altered when her mother, an award-winning teacher named Marion Barter, seemingly vanished without a trace.
Ms Barter, who taught at The Southport School, had been travelling solo around the UK in what was supposed to be “the trip of a lifetime” when all communication with her family ceased, according to her daughter.
Addressing reporters on Monday morning, Ms Leydon said she had spent decades searching for her mother.
“My mum made some huge choices which inevitably not only impacted her but everyone who knew her for the rest of time. She was also an award-winning schoolteacher, a devoted mum to me and my brother Owen, a great friend to many, a lover of the opera and the ballet and the finer things in life,” Ms Leydon said.
“She would have been an incredible grandmother. I know my children would have simply adored her. I miss her.
“Today, my mum has been missing for 10,544 days.”
Ms Leydon said historical reporting and speculation around her mother’s disappearance had often situated the blame on Ms Barter, who she strongly believes “did not simply walk away from her life” nor “abandon her family”.
“Someone knows something. For nearly three decades I’ve searched for answers. We’ve followed leads, spoken to investigators and held onto hope,” Ms Leydon said.
“Today I stand here as a 52-year-old mother of three – the same age my mother was when the coroner declared her deceased – saying there are now one million reasons for someone to come forward and tell us what you know.”
Ms Leydon said evidence heard before the coronial inquest launched in June 2021 revealed “deeply concerning information” about a man identified as a person of significant interest.
“This man initially denied knowing my mum when police first spoke to him, and the following day he changed his statement to admit that he did know her and he had in fact been having a secret relationship with her in 1997,” Ms Leydon said.
“Evidence before the court showed that he used dozens of aliases over many years – 38 and counting – and had obtained 10 Australian passports, all under different names and identities over the past four decades.”
Shortly before her disappearance, and unbeknown to her family, Ms Barter legally changed her name to Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel – a surname shared with one of the man’s aliases.
Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi, said Ms Barter’s disappearance was initially investigated by Tweed Heads police who were told that in the weeks leading up to her disappearance, Ms Barter was observed sitting in a red Honda civic with an unknown man.
“Marion’s bank accounts were also accessed by unknown persons … we know that a large sum of money was withdrawn through a number of transactions around the coast of NSW,” Mr Doueihi said.
“The Unsolved Homicide Unit remains actively engaged, reviewing every lead and pursuing every possible avenue to determine what happened to Marion.
“The increase of this reward to $1m reflects the seriousness with which we continue to treat Marion Barter’s disappearance. Marion’s family have endured heartbreak and uncertainty for the last 28 years. They deserve clarity and justice. We are urging anyone with information to help us provide that.”
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said police weren’t giving up, and they would “follow every lead, re-examine every detail and keep searching for the answers Marion’s family deserve”.
“No family should have to life with the uncertainty of not knowing what happened to a loved one. That’s why we are again asking anyone who may know something, no matter how small the detail, to speak up,” Ms Catley said.
“For Marion’s family, every day without answers is another day of grief. If you have
information, now is the time to come forward.”
