Police Offer Money to Find Marion Barter

May 4, 2026, 09:16
AustraliaOther

Introduction

Police in New South Wales offer $1 million for information about Marion Barter. She disappeared in 1997.

Main Body

Marion Barter was 51 years old in 1997. She sold her houses and went to the UK. She changed her name. She came back to Australia in August 1997. Then she disappeared in October 1997. Her daughter, Sally, wants to find her. Sally says her mother did not leave on purpose. A popular podcast talked about this case. Police need more facts to catch a criminal. In 2024, a court said Marion Barter is dead. They do not know when or where she died. A man named Ric Blum knows about her travel. He does not want to tell the police the truth.

Conclusion

The police are still looking for her. They hope the $1 million will help them find new information.

Learning

πŸ•’ The 'Back Then' Pattern

Look at these words from the story:

  • Sold (from sell)
  • Went (from go)
  • Changed (from change)
  • Came (from come)

The Rule: When we talk about 1997, we don't use the words we use today. We change the verb to show the action is finished.

Simple Cheat Sheet: Regular words just add -ed β†’\rightarrow Change becomes Changed. Special words change completely β†’\rightarrow Go becomes Went.

πŸ’‘ Word Connection

Notice how the story uses "Did not" for things that didn't happen:

  • "Sally says her mother did not leave on purpose."

A2 Tip: When you use did not, the action word goes back to its normal, present form. β†’\rightarrow Wrong: did not left β†’\rightarrow Right: did not leave

Vocabulary Learning

police (n.)
Law enforcement officers who keep the peace.
Example:The police arrived quickly after the report.
offer (v.)
To give something for someone to accept.
Example:They offer help to those who need it.
money (n.)
Currency that people use to buy things.
Example:She saved money for her future.
information (n.)
Facts or details about something.
Example:The book gives useful information about history.
disappeared (v.)
To no longer be seen or found.
Example:The child disappeared while playing in the park.
daughter (n.)
A female child of parents.
Example:Her daughter loves to draw pictures.
popular (adj.)
Liked or admired by many people.
Example:The popular song was played on the radio.
podcast (n.)
An audio program you can listen to online.
Example:I listen to a podcast about science every day.
facts (n.)
True statements about something.
Example:He shared interesting facts about space.
criminal (n.)
A person who breaks the law.
Example:The police caught the criminal after the chase.
court (n.)
A place where legal cases are decided.
Example:The judge spoke in the court.
dead (adj.)
No longer alive.
Example:The old tree was dead after the storm.