Convicted wife killer Chris Dawson could be ‘dead by Friday’: correctional officers

Correctional officers say there are serious concerns convicted wife killer Chris Dawson could be “dead by Friday” after being placed behind bars this week.

Chris Dawson would be “dead by Friday” if he wasn’t monitored 24 hours a day behind bars and is a suicide risk, correctional officers say.

The convicted murderer has traded beach views for a life behind bars, arriving at Silverwater Correctional Complex in Sydney’s west after a marathon four-and-a-half hour judgment in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday

Justice Ian Harrison found the 74-year-old had spun a web of lies that demonstrated a consciousness of guilt and said Dawson had “resolved to kill his wife” Lynette.

Justice Harrison accepted the Crown prosecution’s argument that Dawson killed his wife and disposed of her body in January 1982 so he could be with the family’s teenage babysitter, weeks after he attempted to run off to Queensland with the young student.

Corrective Services sources told The Daily Telegraphunder anonymity that Dawson is considered a “suicide risk”.

“There were repeated and specific suicide threats during the assessment process,” the source said.

“There was also concern that he would be the target of other inmates due to the high-profile nature of the case and his well-documented relationship with a schoolgirl.

“Officers raised concerned that he would be dead by Friday if not placed in the specialist management and protection program where he can be monitored 24 hours a day.”

Correctional officers say there are serious concerns convicted wife killer Chris Dawson will be “dead by Friday” after being placed behind bars this week.

A view of the Police Truck transferring convicted Murderer Chris Dawson as he leaves Surry Hills Police Station for Silverwater Prison in Sydney. Picture NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard.

Dawson has always maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to killing his wife. He intends to appeal.

Mrs Dawson was 33 years old when she disappeared from Sydney’s northern beaches and left behind two daughters.

Shedding his navy suit, Dawson will now wear a prison kit for the rest of his life, which includes a green T-shirt, shorts, tracksuit and a pair of prison-issued shoes.

He will also be a given a toiletries pack, which contains a razor, toothbrush and toothpaste and soap.

Anything else has to be ordered off a list for the weekly buy-up, which has a maximum spending limit of $100.

Lynette Dawson’s body has not been found. Picture: ABC

The entrance to Silverwater Jail where newly convicted Murderer Chris Dawson was transferred.

Defence barrister Greg Walsh told media outside court that Dawson was “not doing well” and was very upset by the verdict.

“He’s upset, he wanted me to ring his wife Sue and talk to her … we don’t know where he’s going to go (to prison),” Mr Walsh said.

Dawson’s third wife Susan did not join him in court on Tuesday and it is understood she remained at their Sunshine Coast home.

Mr Walsh revealed Dawson would appeal the verdict.

Mr Walsh also said Dawson had cognitive and physical problems, and it would be improper to send him to jail.

“He’s been diagnosed with dementia,” Mr Walsh said.

“Jail will be much harder for him … he’s got problems with his hips and knees too.”

Mrs Dawson’s family say Australia’s most famous cold case cannot reach its conclusion until her body is found.