An alleged fraudster who went missing more than two years ago only for her decomposed foot to wash up on a beach months later is dead, a coroner has said.
Melissa Caddick vanished from her home in Sydney in November 2020 - and her mysterious disappearance sparked countless theories in Australia, fuelled by contradictory claims made by her husband, Anthony Koletti.
The 49-year-old disappeared the day after police raided her home to investigate claims that she had stolen up to $30million (£15.8million) from more than 60 clients, including family and friends, to help fund her lavish lifestyle.
It is alleged that the seemingly successful financial adviser ran a Ponzi scheme for about eight years. Caddick was also accused of pretending to be a financial adviser and falsifying documents.
Several conspiracy theories emerged after Caddick's disappearance, with some claiming that she had been swallowed by a shark or had cut off her own foot to distract the police during their search for her.
An inquest into her death her that her husband told police the woman had left the house at 5.30am on November 12, 2020, leaving behind her car, phone and personal belongings.
Mr Koletti, who works as a hairdresser and DJ, failed to report his wife as missing for 30 hours.
Three months later, in February 2021, a foot was found on a beach on the New South Wales far south coast and was connected by DNA analysis to Caddick.
Initially, police said they were exploring two theories - that the alleged fraudster was still alive and had gone into hiding to escape justice, or had taken her own life.
But the inquest heard the woman's husband appeared erratic in the wake of her disappearance, leading police to suspect he might be involved.
Mr Koletti denied any knowledge of his wife's crimes or any involvement in her disappearance. Police said they found no evidence to dispute that.
Now, Deputy State Coroner Elizabeth Ryan has ruled that Caddick is deceased but added that the circumstances around her disappearance and subsequent death would remain a mystery.
She wrote: "The conclusion I have reached is that Melissa Caddick is deceased. However... I do not consider the evidence enables a positive finding as to how she died, or when and where this happened."
Magistrate Ryan added that when Caddick's deception was uncovered and her illusion of success was shattered, it is possible that she felt "shame and despair", adding: "She may well have reached the conclusion that ending her life was the only option."
However, it appears likely that the manner of her death will remain unsolved.
The woman's clients, who lost huge sums over the years, are also unlikely to get justice, the court heard.
A victim testified: "I sold my business as I was under the impression my money was safe, and I retired in 2017.
"To rub more salt in the wound she has also stolen my mother's money, wife's, mother-in-law, son, brother and sister… wiping out three generations of my family's savings."
Ms Ryan said Caddick's crimes left her victims with a "profound sense of betrayal".
She said: "For many, their losses represented all the money they had saved for their retirement or for their children’s education.
"The financial and emotional harm they have suffered will reverberate for many years to come."
In the ruling, the coroner also criticised Mr Koletti saying his evidence was "riddled" with conflicting statements.
However, she said it was difficult to say whether his shortcomings had changed the course of the investigation.
The coroner concluded: "I regret that positive findings cannot be made as to the cause and manner of Ms Caddick's death.
"Ms Caddick's husband, son, parents and brother must surely feel a strong need for finality. Melissa Caddick was a wife, mother, daughter and sister.
"Her disappearance from her family in traumatic circumstances must be a source of deep and ongoing sadness for them."
