‘Teacher’s Pet’ cold case breakthrough: Chris Dawson arrested at stepdaughter’s home

This is the moment alleged murderer Chris Dawson was arrested at a Gold Coast home this morning before he faced court accused of killing his wife almost 37 years ago.

ALLEGED murderer Chris Dawson was arrested at his stepdaughter’s Biggera Waters home just before 8am this morning.

Dawson was taken into custody at the Barnard St home, which is the home of his third wife’s daughter, Kobi Facto.

Police vision of the arrest shows Dawson falter before he is placed in the back of a police car.

The 70-year-old leans forward, uneasily, with his hand on his knees.

Chris Dawson outside the Biggera Waters house this morning. Picture: NSW Police

Mrs Facto is the daughter of Susan Dawson, Dawson’s third wife after missing first wife Lynette and second wife Joanne, who Dawson, a former teacher, met in Sydney and began a relationship with when she was his 16-year old-student.

Mrs Facto is well known in media and public relations circles on the Gold Coast, previously the public relations executive for Hotel QT Gold Coast.

Chris and Susan Dawson still own a house together, next door to Ms Facto’s home, which is currently a rental property.

When the Gold Coast Bulletin attempted to speak to Mrs Facto at her home, she yelled through the door that would call the police if we did not leave.

A festive Christmas wreath hung on the door of the Facto household and seconds before Ms Facto responded to knocks, a curious little boy poked his head through the curtains.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller address the media this morning following the arrest. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)

Not long after the interaction, a black Mercedes sedan with a distinctive one word number plate, pulled into the driveway, with an older woman stepping out and into the house.

A third address linked to the family in the Biggera Waters area belongs to Katie and Stewart Casey.

Katie is Chris’ niece, the daughter of his twin brother Paul Dawson.

Chris Dawson and his twin brother Paul Dawson

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Both Chris and Paul have been seen entering the house in recent months, with their cars parked in the driveway.

Dawson’s VW van was parked outside the Facto household at the time of his arrest. It once infamously bore a number plate that read “2 TWIN”, while his older twin’s number plate read “1 TWIN”.

A neighbour said the van was often there.

Later in the day Mrs Facto drove away in Dawson’s van.

Chris Dawson. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

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It appeared clean and in good condition with no signs to suggest it had been sitting stationary for long periods.

In June after Dawson’s daughter Sherryn Terepo (nee Dawson) defended her father’s innocence, calling the case a “witch hunt”, Mrs Facto told the Bulletin she agreed.

Mrs Facto denied any coronial inquests had even taken place and claimed he never slept with any of his students.