The Schoolgirl, Her Teacher and his Wife

The Schoolgirl, Her Teacher and his Wife by Rebecca Hazel delves into the mysterious disappearance of Lynette Dawson long before the phenomenon of The Teacher's Pet podcast emerged.

The Teacher's Pet podcast became a worldwide sensation, amassing over 80 million downloads globally. The podcast unravelled the puzzling case of Chris Dawson, a teacher and former rugby league player who seemingly had it all—a loving family and a beautiful home in Sydney's Northern Beaches. However, in the summer of 1982, his wife Lynette disappeared, and not long after, Dawson married a much younger woman, a former student.

Less than a decade later, this young woman fled the marriage, reporting her suspicions of Dawson's involvement in Lynette's disappearance to the police. A homicide investigation was launched but initially led nowhere. This all changed in 1998, when Detective Sergeant Damian Loone took charge of Lynette's case. For nearly two decades, he was committed to uncovering the truth about Lynette's fate, leading to two coronial investigations, but still, no charges were laid.

During this time, Rebecca Hazel was working in a women’s refuge on the Northern Beaches. A colleague revealed her harrowing experience of enduring coercive control by Dawson as his student and later wife, as well as her suspicions about Lynette's disappearance. These insights profoundly impacted Rebecca, propelling her to investigate further.

Over the years, Rebecca collaborated with coroners, police, and journalists, accumulating knowledge about the case alongside their shared frustration over its unresolved status. In May 2018, the story gained renewed attention with the launch of The Teacher's Pet podcast by Hedley Thomas, and by December 2018, Chris Dawson was charged with murder, leading to his conviction in August 2022.

Rebecca Hazel has dedicated ten years to amplifying the voices of the two women victimised by Chris Dawson. Her work ensured their stories were heard, justice was served, and Lynette's family could finally honour their beloved sister, aunt, cousin, and mother.