An Australian man who became the subject of a popular crime podcast has been found guilty of his wife’s cold case murder.
Chris Dawson’s trial in a Sydney court followed decades of speculation about the 1982 disappearance of his wife, Lynette.
Her body has never been found and all the evidence was circumstantial.
Dawson was charged in 2018 after the podcast garnered global attention and prompted a renewed investigation.
The 74-year-old denies killing Mrs Dawson, maintaining she had abandoned him and their two children – possibly to join a religious group.
When handing down his verdict on Tuesday, Justice Ian Harrison said the evidence against Dawson was “persuasive and compelling”.
The judge found Dawson was obsessed with his teenage babysitter, who is known as JC for legal reasons, and wanted her as a “replacement” for his wife.
Dawson had become increasingly desperate as previous plans to leave his marriage failed and JC wanted to end their relationship, Justice Harrison said.
“I’m satisfied that the prospect that he would lose [JC] so distressed, frustrated, and ultimately overwhelmed him that… Mr Dawson resolved to kill his wife,” he told the New South Wales Supreme Court.
Mrs Dawson’s brother said the court had confirmed what his family had known for years.
“She loved her family and never left them of her own accord. Instead her trust was betrayed by a man she loved,” an emotional Greg Simms told reporters.
He appealed for Dawson to “finally do the decent thing” and “allow us to bring Lynette home to a peaceful rest, finally showing her some dignity she deserves”.
A sentencing date is yet to be set. Dawson’s lawyer has indicated he is likely to appeal against the conviction.
BBC
