A former lover described as a "central witness" in a coronial inquest into missing woman Marion Barter has denied any wrongdoing, claiming similar stories by multiple women of being romantically conned and defrauded by him are "lies".
The inquest into the disappearance and suspected death of the Gold Coast school teacher and mother of two began in 2021.
The 51-year-old, who changed her name to Florabella Remakel shortly before her disappearance, was last seen at a bus stop in Southport, Queensland, in June 1997.
The mysterious circumstances surrounding her disappearance have been the subject of the popular podcast The Lady Vanishes and a $500,000 reward.
The Coroners Court has previously heard Ms Barter was romantically involved with Northern Rivers resident Ric Blum, who she knew as Fernand Remakel, prior to her disappearance.
Almost two weeks of evidence was heard in 2021, but State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan said police were still actively investigating the case and more days may need to be added to the inquest.
The inquest resumed for an additional three days in Lismore this week following new evidence from two overseas witness who claim to have been romantically conned and defrauded by Mr Blum, who they knew as Frederick De Hedervary.
Mr Blum was questioned about the claims and denied any wrongdoing.
Now in his 80s and diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Mr Blum sat hunched over in the witness chair, wearing a dark grey sweater.
His speech was heavily stuttered and at times he shrugged and said he had difficulties remembering details.
Defendant claims new evidence 'lies'
Counsel Assisting the State Coroner Adam Casselden SC detailed claims from the two overseas witnesses, Ghislaine Danlois-Dubois and Andre Flamme, who gave evidence on the first day of the hearing.
Mr Blum denied the womens' accounts that he had romantically defrauded them of large sums of cash and valuable items, providing his own version of events.
"It's lies after lies," Mr Blum said.
"What do you want me to say?"
Mr Casselden then listed a number of other women who gave evidence earlier on in the inquest, also claiming to have been romantically defrauded by Mr Blum.
Mr Blum claimed the women's accounts were also lies.
"People made up their mind about [me because of the] 25 million [listener] podcast they advertised all over the media," Mr Blum said.
Mr Casselden then pointed out many of the women's complaints were made to police long before the podcast existed.
"I want to suggest it is you who is lying about what happened with the women I just mentioned," Mr Casselden said.
"This is lie after lie," Mr Blum repeated.
Mr Blum also denied Ghislaine Danlois-Dubois' evidence that he had a "worrying" interest in poisons, saying he had a basic understanding of domestic poisons "like everybody else" but his interests were antique coins and history.
Claim Marion Barter 'still alive'
When asked specifically about his involvement with Marion Barter, Mr Blum denied having conversations with her about getting married or encouraging her to sell her home, quit her job, and move overseas with him.
"I saw her three times in my life … perhaps four," he said.
Mr Blum admitted to having been in a sexual relationship with Ms Barter but claimed "it wasn't a romantic relationship".
He said he believed Marion Barter was "still alive" because "in a conversation before she went to England she said she wanted to separate from her family" and she "didn't want anything to do with any member of her family".
When questioned about the details of the alleged conversation with Ms Barter in 1997, and why he had not disclosed it to police, Mr Blum said it was "at her place in Queensland" but he "can't remember" any further details.
Mr Casselden said given Mr Blum's poor health it was time for him to be "full and frank" about his interactions with Marion Barter in 1997.
"Could a reason that you only disclosed that information for the first time yesterday [Thursday] Mr Blum be because you, in truth, know more about the disappearance of Marion Barter than you have been letting on about throughout the course of this inquest, and you dropped your guard yesterday afternoon and made that disclosure. Do you accept that?" he said.
"No, I don't know anything, anything about Marion Barter," Mr Blum said.
The inquest was adjourned for findings to be handed down at a future date to be advised.
