After a seven-week long trial, Chris Dawson has been found guilty of the murder of his wife Lynette Dawson, more than 40 years after her disappearance in 1982.
NSW Supreme Court Justice Ian Harrison handed down the verdict on Tuesday, saying he was convinced beyond reasonable doubt of Chris Dawson’s guilt. Justice Harrison said the circumstantial evidence was persuasive and compelling.
Justice Harrison said the evidence did not reveal how Dawson killed his wife, or where her body was located, but he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he did kill her.
Justice Harrison said he accepted that Chris Dawson conspired to murder his wife Lynette in order to be with teenage babysitter and his former school student, known as JC, on or about 8 January 1982.
“I am satisfied that distressed, frustrated and ultimately overwhelmed and tortured by her absence up north Mr Dawson resolved to kill his wife,” the judge said.
The judge also said he was satisfied Chris Dawson lied on a number of occasions because he feared telling the truth “would expose his guilt”.
At 33 years old, Lynette Dawson vanished from the couple’s home in Bayview on Sydney’s Northern Beaches in early 1982. Her body has never been found. Chris Dawson, 74, faced a judge-alone trial in the NSW Supreme Court.
While delivering the verdict, Justice Harrison said he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Lynette Dawson was dead. The judge also said he was satisfied Lynette Dawson “did not leave her home voluntarily”.
“I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the phone call material and the sightings evidence do not establish that Lynette Dawson was alive in circumstances to which they separately relate,” he said.
“I’m satisfied that none of the alleged sightings was a genuine sighting of Lynette Dawson.
“My conclusions in that respect have in the first instance been based upon the incidents considered individually.
“The whole of the evidence satisfies me that Lynette Dawson is dead, that she died on or about 8 January, 1982 and that she did not voluntarily abandon her home.”
The Crown alleged that Chris Dawson had killed Lynette and disposed of her body, so that he could have an “unfettered relationship” with a teenage babysitter and his former school student, known as JC.
The former rugby league player pleaded not guilty and maintained his wife had left home to start a new life because of his affair.
During the verdict, Justice Harrison noted it was clear Chris Dawson had an obsession with JC.
Lynette’s disappearance was the subject of a widely consumed podcast called The Teacher’s Pet, which raised the profile of the case to an international audience.
Lynette Dawson’s family was in attendance in the courtroom, all wearing pink in memory of her life.