First The Teacher’s Pet podcast went viral in Australia and across the globen. Then, the journalist behind the podcast, Hedley Thomas, won a Walkley Award. Now, the podcast has led to the arrest of Chris Dawson.
From The Australian, the podcast began in May of this year and centres on the unsolved disappearance of Northern Beaches mum Lyn Dawson in 1982.
The Teacher’s Pet ascended to the top of the global podcast charts quickly, knocking off local talent in notoriously difficult markets like the US and UK.
It now boasts more than 28.6 million downloads worldwide.
Now, after 14 episodes, months of fresh leads and entirely different lawsuits kicking off as a result of the explosive findings, Chris Dawson has been arrested and will be charged for the murder of his former wife Lyn.
According to The Oz, Dawson was arrested in Queensland this morning.
Speaking on the arrest, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Olen said: “A 70-year-old man has been arrested this morning shortly before 8 o’clock in relation to the murder of Lyn Dawson.
“He’s been taken to Southport where he will be charged. NSW police will seek an extradition.”
As per The Oz, Lyn’s brother Gregg Simms said he was “quite emotional”.
“We’ve had a cry, we’ve cuddled, we’re just completely over the moon that something has finally happened.”
In a statement, the police said: “In 2015, detectives from the Homicide Squad’s Unsolved Homicide Unit established Strike Force Scriven to re-investigate the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and suspected murder.
“Following extensive investigations, Strike Force Scriven detectives requested the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) review their brief of evidence in April 2018.
“Earlier this week, the ODPP provided advice to police, and following further inquiries, detectives applied for an arrest warrant before travelling to Queensland.
“Just before 8am today (Wednesday 5 December 2018), a 70-year-old Coolum man was arrested by detectives from the Queensland Police Service’s Homicide Squad in the presence of Strive Force Scriven investigators at Biggera Waters, on the Gold Coast, in Queensland.
“NSW detectives will apply for his extradition at his first court appearance.”
