The NSW Government and NSW Police Force have announced a $1 million reward for information relating to the suspicious disappearance of Marion Barter.
Marion Barter, then aged 51, was last seen at a bus depot on Scarborough Street, near Railway Street, at Southport in Queensland on Sunday 22 June 1997.
Detectives believe Marion took the bus to the airport, where she left Australia for the United Kingdom, under the name Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel, which she had officially changed the month before leaving.
Her outgoing passenger card stated that she was divorced and intended to reside in Luxembourg.
On Saturday 2 August 1997, investigators believe Marion may have re-entered Australia under the name of Florabella Remakel with an incoming passenger card stating she was married and resided in Luxembourg.
Family members reported Ms Barter missing to police at Byron Bay in October 1997, with detectives from the Tweed-Byron Local Area Command commencing an investigation into her whereabouts.
Detectives were also told that weeks leading up to her disappearance, Marion had been observed by a family member leaving a service station on Ferry Road, Southport, in a red Honda Civic Breeze with a tall male passenger.
Inquiries also revealed that following her disappearance an unknown person appears to have accessed a bank account belonging to Marion.
As part of their inquiries, detectives explored numerous leads in Australia and overseas in relation to Marion's disappearance.
In July 2019, a formal review of the case was conducted by the Tweed-Byron Police District and State Crime Command's Homicide Squad, Unsolved Homicide Unit.
Following those inquiries, the Homicide Squad's Unsolved Homicide Unit established Strike Force Jurunga, to re-investigate Marion's disappearance.
A coronial inquest, presided by the NSW State Corner, was held in Sydney and Byron Bay in June 2021.
During this time, Homicide Squad detectives announced a $250,000 and subsequent $500,000 reward for information into her disappearance.
On Thursday 29 February 2024, the NSW State Coroner found Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel was deceased, likely after the date of 15 October 1997, but was unable to determine the nature of her death.
The coroner recommended State Crime Command's Unsolved Homicide Unit continue its regular reviewing and monitoring of the case.
As part of ongoing inquiries, police have today announced the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person or persons responsible for Marion's disappearance or death, has increased to $1 million.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said the increased reward is a significant step towards delivering answers for Marion's family.
"Police do not give up on cases like this. They will follow every lead, re-examine every detail and keep searching for the answers Marion's family deserve," Minister Catley said.
"No family should have to live 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."
"For Marion's family, every day without answers is another day of grief. If you have information, now is the time to come forward."
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi, said the coroner's findings have reinforced the need for continued investigative focus.
"The Unsolved Homicide Unit remains actively engaged, reviewing every lead and pursuing every possible avenue to determine what happened to Marion," Det Supt Doueihi said.
"The increase of this reward to $1 million 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."
Marion's daughter, Sally Leydon, says she has hope that someone out there knows what happened to her mother.
"I thank the NSW Police Minister along with the support of the NSW Unsolved Homicide Unit for raising the reward to $1 million, which to me reflects that they too believe that key information exists," Mrs Leydon said.
"This decision shows a willingness to keep pushing for answers, and I welcome that and to those people that do know something, you should know I am not giving up until I find my Mum and justice is served."
Anyone with information about this Marion's disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
