THE SQUIZ
The NSW Deputy State Coroner Elizabeth Ryan says missing Sydney fraudster Melissa Caddick is dead – although “a more problematic issue” is whether there’s sufficient evidence to discover how, when and where Caddick died. Ryan shared the findings from her coronial inquiry into the 49yo’s disappearance in court yesterday. She was particularly critical of Caddick’s husband, Anthony Koletti’s behaviour and “untrue” statements to authorities after his wife vanished. She said it was “fair to say that when he was not creating further inconsistencies, he was attempting to account for them with opaque and at times unintelligible explanations”. Four police officers – including the officer in charge of the investigation – have testified that no evidence points to Koletti killing Caddick, but Ryan yesterday said his involvement hasn’t been ruled out.

REMIND ME WHAT HAPPENED…
The story starts in 2009 when Caddick set up a financial firm without the necessary financial licence to run it. And things really kicked off in September 2020 when the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) launched an investigation into her business dealings. Then on 11 November, after freezing Caddick’s bank accounts and banning her from leaving the country, 21 Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers arrived at Caddick’s home in Dover Heights to search the property. Police vision shows Caddick looking on as officers seized about $1 million worth of designer clothes, handbags and jewellery. Around 5.30am the next day, her son says he heard the front door close and assumed Caddick was going for a run, although she hadn’t taken her phone, wallet or keys. Koletti reported her missing 30 hours later. And 3 months later, in February 2021, Caddick’s foot washed up on the NSW South Coast.

WHAT’S THE RESPONSE BEEN?
ASIC accused Caddick of running a Ponzi scheme and stealing over $24 million from more than 50 of her family and friends to fund her pricey lifestyle. Ryan yesterday said Caddick’s family felt a “profound sense of betrayal” after being conned. For his part, Koletti vouched for Caddick’s character early on, telling police, “everything she’s done has always been legit”. He also criticised ASIC and the AFP’s “cruel and inhumane treatment” during the initial raid. Ryan was also critical of the police investigation but for a different reason… She noted “shortcomings” such as delays (including a crime scene being set up 19 days after Caddick disappeared) and a lack of thoroughness in the early investigation. Ryan said yesterday that it was “certainly possible” that Caddick took her own life, but without further evidence, she can’t say for sure. That means many questions remain unanswered…