Teacher’s Pet: public call for murder trial 36 years after Lyn Dawson vanished

A public campaign is mounting for prosecutors to take to trial the suspected murder of Sydney mother Lyn Dawson | LISTEN

Faye and Mark Leveson, who want justice for Lyn. Picture: Hollie Adams

A public campaign is mounting for NSW prosecutors to take to trial the suspected murder 36 years ago of Sydney mother Lyn Dawson by her husband Chris.

Broadcaster Ben Fordham yesterday called on NSW Director of Public Prosecutions Lloyd Babb, SC to personally oversee a review of the case and for police to reinvigorate their investigations.

“Everyone who has the power to bring justice to the family of Lynette needs to get off their arses and start delivering,” Fordham told 2GB listeners. “That means a high-energy approach from NSW police … (who) should consider digging for Lynette’s body at the old family home in Bayview.

“It also means the Director of Public Prosecutions, Lloyd Babb, giving his personal attention to this matter and considering whether there is enough new evidence to bring a charge of murder against Chris Dawson. There’s only ever been one suspect and right now he’s a free man.”

Fordham’s call follows The Australian ’s investigative podcast series The Teacher’s Pet, which is examining Lyn’s disappearance in January 1982, with a seventh episode out today.

Lyn’s relatives have also begun distributing flyers urging the public to lobby Mr Babb to reverse the previous refusal to prosecute.

They have been supported by Mark and Faye Leveson, who maintained a relentless search for their son, Matthew Leveson, after he went missing in 2007.

Matthew’s boyfriend Michael Atkins was acquitted of his murder but later helped police find his remains in bushland in May 2017 after being granted indemnity from prosecution for perjury and contempt of court at an inquest.

Two coroners found, in 2001 and 2003, that Lyn was murdered by her husband Chris, a former Newtown Jets rugby league star.

But the NSW DPP has always maintained there is not enough evidence to prosecute and he has not been charged. Mr Dawson denies killing his wife.

In a letter sent yesterday to Mr Babb and NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman, the Levesons said the “so-called ‘justice’ system” had failed them and other victims of crime. “We do not wish to see others treated poorly as well and we consider that we are seeing that happen in this instance,” the letter reads.

“On two separate occasions coroners have recommended action be taken against a known person in the Dawson matter and still nothing has been done.

“The time is now for positive and firm action. Please let this matter proceed to the Supreme Court so that a judge and jury can hear of these events in full evidentiary detail.”

The latest episode of the podcast series examines Mr Dawson’s actions following the disappearance of his wife from their northern beaches home.

At the time she vanished he had been in an intense affair with a teenager, Joanne Curtis, for 14 months. Ms Curtis had been a student at Cromer High, where Mr Dawson was a physical education teacher, when their relationship started. Lyn’s daughters were aged four and two when their mother went missing.

Merilyn Simms, married to Lyn’s brother Greg Simms, said the family was “overwhelmed” by the public support for them at an event held for The Australian’s subscribers in Sydney on Wednesday night. The couple attended the event, along with Lyn’s sister Pat Jenkins, the Levesons, Fordham, Lyn’s friend and neighbour Julie Andrew and former Cromer High students.

A new witness, Bev McNally, has come forward during the series, alleging that while babysitting she saw Mr Dawson’s rough and “vicious” treatment of Lyn.

Mr Dawson repeatedly returned to his old home at Bayview, and an area of “soft soil” next to his children’s bedroom windows was not searched by police. Ms Curtis has said she believes Lyn is buried on the property. The DPP has declined to comment.

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