A reward for information into the suspicious disappearance of a woman reported missing in Byron Bay nearly thirty years ago has been increased to $1 million.
Marion Barter’s family reported the then-51-year-old missing to police in Byron Bay in October 1997.
The most recent sighting of her was on 22 June that year at a bus depot in Southport on the Gold Coast.
Police believe she travelled to the airport and left Australia for the United Kingdom under the recently and legally acquired name of Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel, before possibly returning to Australia ten days later newly married and listing Luxembourg as her residence.
Inquiries show an unknown person accessed Ms Barter’s bank account after her disappearance, with a formal police review of the case in 2019 and a coronial inquest in 2021 leading to a financial reward for more information.
The coroner found Ms Barter had probably died sometime after 15 October 1997 but was unable to offer a possible explanation, recommending the state’s Unsolved Homicide Unit continue their case review.
An initial reward of $250,000 had already been increased to $500,000 after the inquest but has this week been increased to $1 million.
Missing mum’s daughter speaks out
Marion’s daughter, Sally Leydon, says she hopes someone 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 told media.
‘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.’
Nearly thirty years of grief
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley says the increased reward is a significant step towards delivering answers for Marion’s family.
‘Police do not give up on cases like this,’ the minister said via police statement.
‘They will follow every lead, re-examine every detail and keep searching for the answers Marion’s family deserve,’ she 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.’
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
