Inquest into the disappearance of Marion Barter, teacher and former wife of Socceroo legend Johnny Warren
More than 20 years ago mother-of-two Marion Barter was dropped off at a bus stop on the Gold Coast and never seen again.
Ms Barter, a teacher and the former wife of Socceroo Johnny Warren, told family and friends she was heading on a long-term overseas trip to England.
Today, almost 24 years to the day since she disappeared on June 22, 1997, a coroner's inquest into the puzzling missing person case began.
Mother-of-two Marion Barter has not been seen since 1997. Supplied
She was dropped at a bus stop, bound for an overseas holiday. Supplied
"If any member of the public has any information… I strongly encourage you to come forward," Counsel assisting Adam Casselden SC said today.
After Ms Barter disappeared, it emerged she'd legally changed her name to Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel and acquired a passport.
A woman with that name was recorded leaving Australia but returning in August of 1997.
Initially, the then-51-year-old kept in touch with family, but communication soon ceased.
Ms Barter's daughter, Sally Leydon, reported her missing the same year.
After Ms Barter disappeared, it emerged she'd legally changed her name to Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel and acquired a passport. Supplied
Ms Barter was the former wife of Socceroos legend Johnny Warren. Supplied
"I want to do as much as I possibly can so that at the end of the day my grandchildren, their children, will know I did everything in my power to find out what happened to my mum," she said.
Ms Leydon watched the opening day of the inquest from Brisbane, as the detective who officially removed her mother as a missing person gave testimony.
Detective Senior Constable Gary Sheehan admitted he found police inadequacies in 2009 when he took over the file.
Using bank withdrawals, Medicare records and Ms Barter's legal name change he suspended the case in 2011 - removing her as a missing person.
He told the court he still believes the mother deliberately decided to start a new life and not be located by family and friends.
The hearing is set down for two weeks.
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