Chris Dawson learns his fate after a marathon murder trial – four decades after reporting wife Lynette missing.

Chris Dawson has been found guilty of murdering his wife, Lynette Dawson, in 1982.

Justice Ian Harrison: “I am satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that Lyn Dawson is dead”

“The circumstantial evidence in this case is persuasive and compelling.”

“Mr Dawson, you did murder Lynette Dawson. I find you guilty”

The case so far

It’s finally D-Day for Chris Dawson.

He will either be found guilty of murder or acquitted, 40 years since the disappearance of his wife Lynette.

NSW Supreme Court Justice Ian Harrison is handing down his verdict after seven weeks considering witness testimony.

The murder trial has lasted two months.

74 year old Dawson is accused of murdering his wife and disposing of her body in January 1982.

The Crown claims he murdered her so he could continue a relationship with his then teenage babysitter, known only as JC, and retain assets such as the family home in Bayview, on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Aged 33, Mrs Dawson vanished without a trace in early 1982 leaving behind her two daughters. 

Her body has never been found.

“Lyn Dawson is dead”

Justice Ian Harrison says Lyn Dawson is dead.

The judge said he was satisfied: “Lynette Dawson is dead, that she died on or about 8 January 1982 and she did not voluntarily abandon her home.”

The six key sightings of Lyn Dawson in 1982, 1983 and 1984 have all been ruled out.

“Phone calls” were a lie

Justice Ian Harrison SC says: “I’m satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Dawson’s reported telephone calls with Lynette Dawson after 9 January 1982 are lies.” 

The judge said all the phone calls were fabrications. 

“It is in my view fanciful to suggest that conversations as lacking in content and pregnant with cliche as those described by Mr Dawson occurred.”

Justice Ian Harrison says he is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt Lynette Dawson ‘did not leave her home voluntarily’ and no one spoke to her after January 8, 1982

Scuffle at court

There was a brief scuffle outside court as Chris Dawson arrived with his twin brother Paul.

While the media scrum surrounded Chris, his brother Paul was bumped by a television cameraman as they went up the stairs to the court. He responded by pushing the cameraman in the back.