Melissa Caddick inquest: Barbara Grimley blames ASIC as conwoman’s Dover Heights home enters market

Melissa Caddick’s mother is holding the corporate watchdog personally responsible for her daughter’s death, it has been revealed – as the notorious fraudster’s cliffside mansion goes on the market. 

Potential buyers will be charged a refundable $10,000 fee to inspect Caddick’s property at Dover Heights, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, as receivers finally put the home on the market with prestige real estate agent Sotheby’s on Monday. 

The fee will be used to deter anyone but legitimate buyers from accessing the property at the centre of one of Australia’s biggest mysteries – as agents release a flashy video showing off the property.

It comes as the inquest into Caddick’s suspected death and suicide is set to resume on Monday morning with the chief investigator, Isabella Allen from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, set to testify.

She will be followed Ms Caddick’s husband, Anthony Koletti. 

 The inquest of Melissa Caddick resumes on Monday. Her husband Anthony Koletti (right) will give evidence this week

Melissa Caddick's former Dover Heights home (pictured) goes on the market this week. It required extensive repairs, cleaning and maintenance after Caddick's husband was evicted

Melissa Caddick’s former Dover Heights home (pictured) goes on the market this week. It required extensive repairs, cleaning and maintenance after Caddick’s husband was evicted

Ms Allen led the formal investigation from September 8, 2020 into Ms Caddick’s Ponzi scheme operated under her fake company Maliver.

The conwoman purported to be investing her victims’ wealth by appearing to set up CommSec trading accounts and forging documents to claim she was generating profits through capital growth and shares.

She preyed on mostly friends and family and stole up to $30 million between 2013 and 2020, counsel assisting Jason Downing SC has told the inquest.

A week after the corporate watchdog began its investigation into the misappropriation of funds Ms Caddick booked shredding services for document destruction at her home address.

The last verified sighting of Ms Caddick was when ASIC and the Australian Federal Police raided her Dover Heights mansion on November 11, 2020.

Ms Caddick’s mother Barbara Grimley holds ASIC responsible for her daughter’s suspected death saying she was highly distressed during the raid and was not allowed any food or water.

The AFP’s Constable Amelia Griffen shadowed Ms Caddick for the majority of the 12-hour search and confirmed she did make herself food and was allowed to leave the property whenever she wished.

Her husband Anthony Koletti phoned in the 49-year-old as missing some 30 hours after he says she walked out of their home for the last time on November 12 about 5.30am to ‘go for a jog’.

Mr Koletti is due to give evidence following Ms Allen.

Melissa Caddick's mother Barbara Grimley holds ASIC responsible for her daughter's suspected death

Melissa Caddick’s mother Barbara Grimley holds ASIC responsible for her daughter’s suspected death

What Mr Koletti knew about Ms Caddick’s disappearance has been the source of intense scrutiny in the first week of his wife’s inquest.

The part-time hairdresser and DJ told police he was too busy working from home to make a statement in person and was subsequently visited at his home where he gave ‘conflicting stories,’ Sergeant Trent Riley told the coroner.

In February 2021 Ms Caddick’s decomposing foot encased in an Asics shoe washed ashore at Bournda Beach on the NSW south coast, about 400km south of Sydney.

The inquest before Deputy State Coroner Elizabeth Ryan is set to resume on Monday after a week’s break.

Meanwhile, Caddick’s former Dover Heights home will enter the market on Monday. 

A $10,000 refundable deposit is required to set foot inside the home to deter stickybeaks.

Insolvency firm Jones Partners took possession of the clifftop home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs in May after Mr Koletti ordered by the Federal Court to vacate.

The rooftop has stunning views of the city's iconic skyline and the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The rooftop has stunning views of the city’s iconic skyline and the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Extensive repairs, cleaning and maintenance was required over the last two months to present the home as a ‘prestige property’, including new floors, fresh paint and recarpeting.

The receiver appointed Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty to sell the property.

Jones Partners principal Bruce Gleeson told Sydney Morning Herald he was ‘shocked’ at the state of the home when Koletti moved out.

Mr Gleeson claimed Caddick’s husband left behind rotting food in the fridge along with discarded belongings, including fish tanks and unwanted pieces of furniture.

The two storey five bedroom mansion with stunning Sydney harbour views is estimated to be now worth almost three times the $6.2million Caddick paid for it in 2014.

Mr Gleeson was reluctant to name a price figure but hopes it sells for more than $10 million for the sake of Caddick’s victims.

Caddick's husband Anthony Koletti (right) was evicted from the Dover Heights home in May

Caddick’s husband Anthony Koletti (right) was evicted from the Dover Heights home in May

Prospective buyers need to fork out $10,000 just to inspect Melissa Caddick's former home (pictured kitchen and living area)

Prospective buyers need to fork out $10,000 just to inspect Melissa Caddick’s former home (pictured kitchen and living area)

The home boasts expansive views of Sydney’s iconic harbour and skyline with five bedrooms, four bathrooms and stunning pool.

‘Since obtaining vacant possession in late May 2022 and receiving orders enabling us to proceed with a sale, we have undertaken certain maintenance and minor improvements to amplify the property’s luxurious appeal,’ Mr Gleeson said.

‘The home is positioned in an elevated part of one of Dover Heights’ most sought-after streets and we are extremely pleased to be able to offer this prestigious property for sale during spring.’

‘Commanding elevated outlooks across its exclusive eastern suburbs surrounds, this elegant family haven is set against a quintessential Sydney Harbour backdrop, with views stretching along the water to the city’s iconic skyline and Harbour Bridge,’ the property description states.

The stunning home is estimated to be now worth almost three times the $6.2million Melissa Caddick paid for it in 2014 (pictured, the rooftop in 2014)

The stunning home is estimated to be now worth almost three times the $6.2million Melissa Caddick paid for it in 2014 (pictured, the rooftop in 2014)

The house is open for inspection by appointment only, with ‘expressions of interest’ closing October 31. 

‘We are also well advanced and close to finalising an application to the Federal Court which will seek sale orders regarding the designer jewellery, clothing and artworks.’

‘It is our intention to have an Investor briefing to provide a detailed update on the receivership and liquidation status in late October 2022’.

Insolvency firm Jones Partners hopes till the home will sell for at least $10million (pictured, one of the home's five bedrooms)

Insolvency firm Jones Partners hopes till the home will sell for at least $10million (pictured, one of the home’s five bedrooms)

Insolvency firm Jones Partners took possession of Caddick's clifftop home (pictured)  in Sydney's eastern suburbs in May

Insolvency firm Jones Partners took possession of Caddick’s clifftop home (pictured)  in Sydney’s eastern suburbs in May

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