Marion Barter inquest findings: coroner criticises NSW police, says former lover ‘does indeed know more'
Coroner finds Ric Blum lied and deceived inquest, but does not recommend charges against him
www.theguardian.comHere’s the latest available on Marion Barter as of 2026:
- In late February 2024, New South Wales State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan ruled that Marion Barter is likely deceased, but she could not determine the place, cause, or manner of death. The coroner also criticized aspects of the police investigation and suggested the case remain under the Unsolved Homicide/Investigations framework for ongoing scrutiny.[2][3]
- The finding effectively confirms Barter’s death without resolving where or how it occurred, leaving families without closure on those details. The coroner indicated there were leveraged lines of inquiry that could still inform the broader investigation, particularly around her former partner’s knowledge.[3][2]
- Media coverage in 2024–2025 highlighted ongoing public interest and the involvement of Barter’s daughter, Sally Leydon, who has pursued answers for decades. Some outlets noted calls to keep the case active within specialized homicide squads.[2][3]
- A 2026 feature in Women’s Weekly recapped the inquest findings and the continued investigative emphasis on how Barter’s disappearance unfolded, including discussions about potential leads and the involvement of key figures in her life.[2]
Illustration: The coroner’s findings represent a formal acknowledgment of death while leaving unresolved questions about location and cause, a common pattern in long-cold disappearances.
If you’d like, I can pull more detailed summaries from specific outlets or compile a timeline of key developments with direct quotes. I can also look for any official NSW Police statements or coroner’s PDFs for precise wording.[3][2]