Gruesome new details after Melissa Caddick's foot found
Disturbing new details have emerged from campers who discovered Melissa Caddick's foot inside her shoe on a NSW south coast beach last week.
The campers were collecting rubbish on Bournda Beach, south of Tathra, on February 21 when they spotted a grey sneaker that had washed ashore.
“At the time we were all a bit in shock, we obviously didn’t think it was real at first. We were wondering whether someone had played a prank – put some chicken bones in a shoe or something," one man told 7News.
The group called police and subsequently waited two hours in the heat for them to arrive, according to the publication.
“The weird thing is, while we were sitting there waiting for the cops, a few seagulls came and tried to take the shoe away," the man, who did not want to be identified, said.
Officers had to send a photo of the remains to doctors to check they were human, according to the man.
Forensic testing confirmed the foot and shoe belonged to Ms Caddick, who disappeared from her Dover Heights home the day after corporate watchdog ASIC executed a search warrant on November 11 after she was accused of stealing millions of dollars over seven years.
More human remains drifted ashore in Mollymook, about 150km north of where the foot was found, on Friday about 6.30pm.
Members of the public reportedly found a large chunk of stomach flesh, including a belly button.
The remains are in the process of being forensically examined to determine if they also belong to Ms Caddick.
Explosive theory after foot found
An explosive theory emerged on Saturday suggesting Ms Caddick could still be alive if the stomach flesh does not match her DNA.
Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of Newcastle, Dr Xanthe Mallett, said the discovery of the foot alone did not necessarily confirm Ms Caddick's death.
"When it was just a foot I would caution against the possibility that somebody is deceased. You can survive without your foot," she told Weekend Today.
Liquidators have alleged Ms Caddick "meticulously and systematically" deceived those who entrusted millions of investment dollars to her over seven years, and then used the money to fund her lavish lifestyle.
Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing on Friday told reporters foul play against Ms Caddick was possible but suicide was more likely.
"Given the circumstances of the disappearance (and) the fact that she left personal belongings behind, we've always considered the possibility that she might have taken her own life," Assistant Commissioner Willing said.
On Friday, one of Ms Caddick’s former clients, Cheryl Kraft Reid, told 2GB she was sad to hear the 49-year-old had been confirmed dead.
“That’s a sad tragic outcome for her son but it’s also just a sad tragic outcome for us because we just don’t get closure,” she said, adding that Ms Caddick had "ruined so many lives".
Ms Reid explained that among her family, they had seven accounts with Ms Caddick, summing up to millions of dollars.
With AAP
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
