Do you remember when Rye had four High Street banks, yes four: Lloyds, Nat West, HSBC and Barclays. Gone are the days when you could pop into your local branch, pass the time of day with whoever was behind the counter, conclude your transaction then be on your way. The personal touch was important, human contact was welcomed but alas, mainly due to the increase in popularity in online banking, those days have long gone but many of us remember the staff in the branches. This is where you may be able to help.
She is a missing person, from Australia and her daughter, Sally Leydon has proof that her mum, Marion Barter or Floabella Remarkel as she was also known, had an account at Barclays in Rye which she opened during her year long holiday to UK and Europe. She gave the banks details as her contact at this time and there is proof that her bank in Australia (the Commonwealth Bank) was using Barclays address in Rye on Marion’s bank statements.
On 15 October 1997, $80,000 was transferred from her Australian account which it’s believed was going to be used to purchase a school with her “new partner”. He is a Belgium national, Ric Blum but he frequently adopted aliases for “fantasy…..because it was legal”. He held at least 10 passports in different names and lived in Burwash in the 1980s. He admitted, when he appeared in court, to having an affair with her. Marion has never been seen again.
Blum went on trial (see Missing Marion; inquest over) charged with her disappearance but was eventually released without charge and despite submissions from Sally Leydon’s legal team that Blum should be referred to the director of public prosecutions for alleged perjury and making false statements during the inquest. Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan said that was best left to police as part of the investigation. Blum now lives freely in Australia with his current wife and two young children. So unfortunately, there are still many unanswered questions before Sally can find closure.
Rye News has been following this very lengthy and twisted story Missing Marion, the mystery continues and despite worldwide media attention, the offer of $500,000 reward for information leading to her disappearance, a lengthy trial and subsequent inquest, no body has been found.
A statement at the close of the inquest from the Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan said: “Marion Barter is deceased and died some unknown time after October 15, 1997. There was no evidence to suggest how, why or when she died.”
This fascinating story has a huge following and is available for you to hear as a Podcast — The Lady Vanishes Podcast which is a 7 News (Australia) Production. It’s an amazing story which currently has no conclusion. Do you think you may have information which might help bring closure to some of the unanswered questions? Please send anything you feel might be relevant to info@ryenews.org.uk
Image Credits: Nick Forman , Sally Leydon .