The disappearance of Melissa Caddick in November 2020 garnered significant attention in Australia. Caddick, who was under investigation for financial misconduct, had defrauded numerous individuals out of millions of dollars.
The media coverage surrounding her disappearance only intensified public interest in the case. Despite extensive searches, only a single foot enclosed in a running shoe was discovered on a beach in New South Wales.
In May 2023, the NSW Coroners Court declared Caddick dead, but the date, cause, and manner of death could not be determined. As part of the investigation, experts consulted the only available forensic research on how marine organisms colonize items connected to individuals, such as shoes and clothing.
This research is now featured in an ITV UK documentary called “The Missing Millionairess,” which recently aired on Channel 9 in Australia.
The case of Melissa Caddick demonstrates the challenges and potential usefulness of marine forensic investigations when there is limited evidence.
When a body is not immediately found, the case typically falls into the category of “missing persons.” This classification often leads to delays in the investigation, as authorities must navigate uncertainties and determine if foul play was involved.
The absence of physical evidence, such as bloodstains or signs of struggle, further complicates the investigation. Physical evidence is crucial for reconstructing events and identifying potential suspects.
In Caddick’s case, her son reported hearing the front door close early in the morning on November 12, 2020. He assumed his mother had gone for a run but she was never seen again.
Months later, a shoe containing a decomposing foot was discovered on Bournda Beach in NSW. This finding opened up new avenues for investigation.
Finding washed-up shoes connected to cases of homicide, accident, or suicide is not uncommon. The buoyant properties of shoe materials, particularly sneakers with rubber components, allow them to float and hold remains together.
When only limited remains, such as a single limb, are found, investigators promptly conduct DNA analysis to confirm the victim’s identity. In Caddick’s case, a DNA profile confirmed that the remains belonged to her.
Determining if the bones were disarticulated or deliberately separated from the body requires the expertise of a forensic pathologist. Unfortunately, the limited remains in Caddick’s case did not provide enough information to draw firm conclusions.
However, the shoe itself can have significant legal and investigative significance.
This is where our research comes in. On land, certain insects can help estimate the time of death. In a marine environment, we rely on organisms like barnacles, which attach to floating or submerged objects. The growth of barnacles can provide insights into the body’s origin, time spent in the water, travel patterns, and even the timeline of events.
In our study of 128 pairs of shoes colonized by barnacles, we observed settlement within 15 days of deployment in the water. Another study on submerged fabrics found that cotton changed the most, while neoprene was highly colonized by barnacles.
More research is needed in marine and aquatic forensics, considering that a significant portion of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. This case highlights the importance of studying barnacles and other marine organisms to improve our ability to investigate various cases, from single shoes to missing persons and even missing planes.