The inquest into alleged conwoman Melissa Caddick’s disappearance has heard that a lead investigator looking into Caddick’s fraudulent activity denied the accusation she was responsible for the fraudster’s suspected death.
Caddick has not been seen since November 12, 2020, when she disappeared from her beachside mansion the same day the Australian Investment and Securities Commission (ASIC) raided her Dover Heights home.
The 49-year-old is presumed to be deceased after the remains of her foot were discovered on the NSW South Coast.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) investigator Isabella Allen maintained to the New South Wales coroners court on Monday, September 26, that she was just carrying out her duties.
Allen said Caddick’s brother Adam Grimley asked the audacious question back in June 2021: “How do you feel being responsible for Melissa’s death?”
Caddick’s mother, Barbara Grimley, also believes ASIC is responsible for her daughter’s suspected death.
Allen’s lawyer followed up the revelation by asking the investigator: “Do you feel responsible for her death?:”
“No, I was doing my job,” Allen replied.
Allen labeled the family’s blame “as fantasy”.
Allen also refuted claims that ASIC investigators were “parading” Caddick’s luxury items around as they confiscated them on November 11, 2020, saying she never saw anyone “giggling and laughing” or trying on Caddick’s expensive clothing and jewelry.
Caddick’s husband, Anthony Koletti, has filed numerous complaints with the police regarding ASIC’s behaviour on the day of the raid.
The inquest has also heard that Koletti allegedly appeared “evasive” when questioned by police on his wife’s disappearance.
Detective Sergeant Michael Kyneur, told the court that an officer relayed to him that Koletti allegedly appeared not “overly concerned” that his wife had gone missing.
“He didn’t appear to be overly concerned,” Kyneur said.
“In my experience, if your spouse or loved one goes missing there is usually some genuine concern or some type of emotion.”
The court was also told that Koletti allegedly allowed 30 hours to pass before reporting Caddick missing.
Despite Koletti’s alleged behaviour, he is not suspected of murdering his wife, as Kyneur claimed it was “not a viable proposition” that Koletti killed Caddick.
“There was no evidence in the house of any struggle or violence, I was mindful that (Caddick’s son) was present at the time that she left,” Kyneur said.
More to come as the inquest continues.