The circumstances surrounding the death of swindler Melissa Caddick, whose severed and fractured foot was discovered on an Australian beach, remain shrouded in mystery, according to officials.
Melissa Caddick, 49, vanished on November 12, 2020, around 5:30 a.m., just a day after authorities executed search warrants at her home in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme. The scheme, suspected to have defrauded $23 million from family and friends, had drawn the attention of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Three months later, a running shoe containing a severed foot was found on a remote beach in New South Wales, which was later confirmed to belong to Caddick through DNA analysis.
Dr. Jennifer Pokorny, a forensic pathologist, stated during the inquest that she was unable to determine the cause and manner of Caddick’s death solely based on the severed foot. The limited remains did not provide enough evidence to ascertain the full extent of her injuries or whether they were caused by intentional actions, falls, or direct impacts on the foot.
The ongoing inquest has focused on the initial flaws in the police investigation and the behavior of Caddick’s husband, Anthony Koletti, a hairdresser who failed to report her missing for 30 hours. During an interview, Koletti displayed evasive and inconsistent behavior, leading to suspicions.
Financial stress was identified as a significant factor in Caddick’s life prior to her disappearance. She allegedly made remarks to a friend about contemplating ending her life while walking along the cliffs near her home. Authorities have put forth various theories regarding Caddick’s fate, including the possibility of her going into hiding or self-harming due to the mounting pressure of the fraud investigation.
Detective Sergeant Michael Foscholo expressed his belief that Caddick ended her life at the nearby cliffs, which were a short distance from her residence. Foscholo considered Koletti an unreliable witness but did not suspect his involvement in the fraud or Caddick’s presumed death.
Dr. David Griffin, an oceanographer, stated during the inquest that it was feasible for a body to drift from Sydney to Bournda Beach, where the foot was discovered, within the 100-day period after Caddick’s disappearance. Another possibility raised was that the foot had been regurgitated by a shark. The mystery surrounding Melissa Caddick’s death continues to perplex authorities, leaving unanswered questions about the events leading to her tragic end.
