[News Article](https://www.google.com/amp/s/7news.com.au/news/qld/the-lady-vanishes-new-police-investigation-into-22-year-old-mystery-of-missing-teacher-marion-barter-c-31142.amp) [The Lady Vanishes Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/2GzQNiHIxz6MPIKPmHSjV8?si=ULoIhKM6TnObqaU0AfG_sQ) Edit for clarity: NSW Police have admitted that they did not speak to see Marion after Sally reported her missing in October 1997. They have been unable to corroborate the information that was originally given to Sally immediately following Marion being reported missing. No trace of any contact made with Marion or Sally in regards to her being found on file. It is assumed that officer who made the phone call was mistaken. In mid 1997, Marion Barter, then aged 51, quit her job teaching at The Southport School on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australian. She sells her house at a loss, gives some possessions (such as a car and some furniture) to her daughter Sally, secures the remainder in a storage container and books herself an extended trip to the UK. Whilst these events may not cause concern for some, family and friends of Marion have express how out of character this behaviour was. On 25th April 1997 Marion sells her home at a loss of $15,000AUD ($25000ish today accounting for inflation). Her home was only on the market for 3 weeks, suggesting she may have been more concerned about selling the property, and less concerned with losing money. She writes her resignation letter on 16th June 1997 and finishes teaching just 4 days later. The year prior to leaving the country, Marion won the Queensland Teaching Excellence Award. By all accounts she was a fantastic teacher and incredibly dedicated to her students. Leaving in the middle of the school year is unusual for most teachers, but especially so in this case (Australian academic year is from January to December). Time Line: On 21st June, 2 days before Marion is to depart to the UK, Marion, along with a female friend Lesley, have dinner with her daughter Sally and soon to be son-in-law Chris. 23rd June 1997 Marion is driven to the Southport Bus Station by Lesley, the last known person to see Marion alive. Marion takes a bus to Brisbane International Airport and leaves for the UK via Tokyo. 30th June 1997 Marion sends Sally a letter postmarked Tunbridge Wells, Kent. July 1997 (date unknown) Sally receives 2 postcards from Marion from Sussex and London. 7th July 1997 Marion sends a postcard to an elderly relative postmarked from Brighton, Sussex. 1st August 1997 Marion calls her daughter Sally late afternoon stating she is in Tunbridge Wells. This was the last contact Sally had with her mother. The postcards and letters stop. No more phone calls. 21st October Sally calls her brother Owen asking if Marion had spoken to him for his birthday (18th Oct). She contacts other family members but no one has heard from her. Fearing for her safety, Sally contacts the Commonwealth Bank where her mother held accounts and let them know her mother is overseas and no one can contact her. Sally is told that their has been activity in Marion account, $5000 withdrawn in Byron Bay and Burleigh Heads, both in Australia and definitely not in the UK. Burleigh Heads being less than 20km from The Southport School and the suburb Sally was living, and Byron Bay less than 100km across the border on the Northern New South Wales Coast. All within an hours drive from Sally. 22nd October 1997 Sally drives to Byron Bay with a photo of Marion and canvases the area, then reports her a missing person at the Byron Bay Police Station. October 1997 (date unknown) Sally receives a phone call from Byron Bay Police and is informed that her mother has been located and doesn’t wish anyone to know her location or activities. In the following years Sally reaches out to the Salvation Army Family Tracing Service, the Australian Federal Police Missing Persons Unit and countless local Police Services and National Media to help find some answers. Articles were published in magazines, enquires were made and no answers we found. In 2009 Detective Senior Constable Gary Sheehan from Byron Bay Police takes charge the investigation. During his investigation, he uncovers more information leading up to Marion’s trip. May 15th 1997 Marion Barter changed her name by Deed Poll to Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel. She, or someone travelling under her passport, arrived back in Sydney from London on 2nd August 1997. Her incoming passenger card states she is a married women, living in Luxembourg and carrying out “home duties”. Only intending to stay in Australia for 3 days. August - September 1997 $5000 is withdrawn from Marion’s bank accounts every business day for 3.5 weeks from branches in Byron Bay and Burleigh Heads. Her Medicare card is also used in Grafton NSW during this time period. So, where is Marion? Did she ever come back to Australia? If so, who with? If not, who did? Allison Sandy and Brian Seymour from Channel 7 News have teamed up, along with the help of Marion’s daughter Sally Leydon to put together a Podcast - The Lady Vanishes.