True Crime Obsessed

Episode 491: The Missing Millionairess (March 31, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this episode, hosts Em and Christine dive into the Hulu documentary "The Missing Millionairess," which unpacks the mysterious disappearance of Melissa Caddick—a glamorous Australian financial advisor turned notorious fraudster, and the chaos left behind. With their signature blend of humor, sass, and heartfelt outrage, the hosts recap this two-part docuseries, taking listeners through jaw-dropping fraud, family betrayal, dodgy investigations, and the still-unsolved fate of Melissa Caddick.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Melissa Caddick’s Disappearance and Immediate Circumstances

• The story kicks off in Dover Heights, Sydney, 2020. On the morning after a federal police raid, Caddick seemingly vanishes during her routine run (03:08).
• Suspicion quickly falls on her husband, Anthony Colletti, who seems curiously unphased and delays reporting Melissa missing for 30 hours (41:08).
• “Anthony Colletti had not reported his wife missing until 30 hours after she disappeared. 30 hours? Who does that?” – Kate the Journalist (41:08)

Memorable Moment

• Christine notes: “If you have 90 cops in your house taking all your shit, now’s the time to ask a single solitary question.” (16:39)

2. Background: Who Was Melissa Caddick?

• Once celebrated as a successful businesswoman, Caddick marketed herself as a financial advisor (though unlicensed), promising to help others, especially women, attain wealth (11:40).
• Her lavish lifestyle—designer jewelry, luxury cars, and real estate—was funded by defrauding 60-70 friends, family, and clients.
• Em: “She’s like the cartoon who, like, sees the client as the big, like, steak dinner.” (28:17)

Notable Quote

• Kate the Journalist on the scale of Caddick’s fraud: “She’s the con artist of the century. I think we have 4 million unique readers. The story absolutely blew up.” (25:50)

3. The Fraud Uncovered

• Caddick’s scheme was simple: she took investor funds, put them briefly in her company account, then moved them into her personal account (23:41).
• She sent forged statements showing healthy ‘returns’—but none of the investments were real (24:26).
• Victims included her closest friends and family members, amplifying the sense of betrayal.
• “The money is on her neck. It’s in her closet.” – Christine (24:33)
• “Not a single penny went to help people or animals or the earth or anything.” – Christine (25:10)

4. Anthony Colletti’s Role and Behavior

• The hosts unpack Anthony’s puzzling, almost childlike reactions—his delayed police report, lack of apparent emotion, and avoidance of responsibility or apology to victims. (44:38, 49:34)
• His “toy boy” persona and questionable statements raise eyebrows throughout.
• Asked directly if he can see why he looks suspicious, Anthony says:
  “Yeah, maybe to an untrained eye. To a trained eye, no.” (61:20)
• The podcast ridicules the focus on superficial social media commentators, highlighting their irrelevance.

5. The Investigation and Police Failures

• Police response is criticized for its sloppiness—barely canvassing for CCTV footage or conducting thorough searches (57:57).
• “Bad policing is kind of our thing. What are you trying to pull here, Australia?” – Christine (58:14)

6. Discovery of the Foot/Shoe and Theories

• Three months after Caddick vanished, a shoe containing a human foot matching her DNA washes ashore (44:02).
• Forensic scientist Dr. Paula questions whether the shoe could have been in the ocean that long, finding insufficient marine growth (47:17).
• Theories abound: murder, suicide, staged disappearance, or even a shark’s involvement—shark theory summarily dismissed by the hosts with humor.
• “I am begging you kindly to leave the sharks out of it.” – Christine (69:23)

7. The Aftermath

• Caddick’s assets are liquidated, but only a fraction of the stolen millions is recovered (72:19).
• Victims grapple with lost savings and shattered trust; Anthony remains controversial and unsympathetic.
• Notable scene: Kate, one of Caddick’s oldest friends and victims, now uses a luxury perfume (gifted by Melissa) to spray her bathroom, finding bitter closure.
  “I use it in the bathroom to…I spray my poo with it. Oh, it gives me a little bit of closure, I suppose, I think.” – Kate (72:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Everyone’s like, this is a dreadful misunderstanding.” (16:48)
• “It’s hanging in her closet like the bad version of Carrie Bradshaw.” – Christine (17:06)
• On Anthony: “His hair is awful…with the frosted tips, it’s a choice.” (38:32–39:03)
• “Dr. Paula, I love you. Never leave.” – Christine (47:47)
• “It is near, if not totally impossible, to go missing on purpose and stay missing. If anybody is looking for you, it is just too hard.” – Em (66:17)
• “You work so hard for [your money]. Please…Just be careful, please.” – Christine and Em (75:01–75:07)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:08 – Overview of Melissa Caddick’s disappearance, initial details.
• 11:40 – How Caddick set up her fraudulent business.
• 17:06 – Details of the police raid and the “dreadful misunderstanding.”
• 24:26 – Breakdown of the fraud: fake accounts and forged statements.
• 25:50 – Media sensation as the case blows up.
• 41:08 – Revelation that Melissa wasn’t reported missing for 30 hours.
• 44:02 – Police announce discovery of a foot in a shoe, confirmed as Melissa’s.
• 47:17 – Forensic analysis of the shoe: skepticism about ocean timeline.
• 57:57 – Policing failures and missed evidence.
• 66:17 – Feasibility of Caddick vanishing on purpose discussed.
• 72:19 – Liquidation of assets and victims’ attempts at closure.
• 72:57 – Kate’s bittersweet perfume anecdote.
• 73:33 – Coroner’s report concludes suicide is likely, but mystery remains.

Tone and Takeaways

• The hosts blend humor and righteous anger, mocking inane commentary and lamenting the depth of deception.
• Their compassion especially shines when discussing the impact on Melissa’s victims and the lasting legacy of financial and emotional ruin.
• They remain openly skeptical of Anthony’s cluelessness, the soundness of police work, and the media’s role in stoking speculation.

Final Notes

• The episode closes underlining the true crime ‘lesson’: how con artists weaponize trust, and how even those closest to us can deceive for personal gain.
• “Be careful with your money, please”—a plea repeated by the hosts, who, humor notwithstanding, underscore the seriousness of Caddick’s crime.

For listeners: This summary captures the full progression and emotional resonance of the episode, providing a thorough walk-through—from the shocking opening, through dramatic investigation and family betrayal, to a haunting unresolved ending.