‘The Teacher’s Pet’ Is The New True Crime Podcast Here To Fuck Your Mind

The Teacher's Pet Podcast Chris Dawson Lyn Dawson Joanne Curtis Cromer High School

When it comes to true crime podcasts, I live by the “can’t stop, won’t stop” mentality. Obviously having ticked off the classics in Serial, Dirty John and In The Dark, I’m onto devouring My Favourite Murder and True Crime Garage‘s weekly eps about all things dark and disturbing. I live for this shit – and clearly I’m not alone, because new true crime-based poddys are popping up all the time.

The latest one to catch my eye (or ear?) is The Teacher’s Pet, a podcast produced by The Australian and hosted by the publication’s national chief correspondent Hedley Thomas.

It delves into the unsolved murder of 33-year-old Sydney mother of two Lyn Dawson, who was last seen on January 8, 1982. Her remains have never been found, and no evidence that she started a new life elsewhere has come to light.

Chris and Lyn Dawson in 1970. Source: The Australian

In fact, her friends insist that she was far too devoted to her two daughters, Shanelle and Sherryn, to ever abandon them – though Lyn’s husband, Chris Dawson, has always insisted that she is still alive.

Chris was a former star footy player and started teaching PE at Cromer High School in Sydney’s Northern Beaches area in 1979 – and in 1980, started what The Australian calls “an intense sexual affair” with a 16-year-old student named Joanne Curtis. She soon became the Dawsons’ baby sitter, moving in with the family in 1981.

Cromer High School student Joanne Curtis. Source: The Australian

Friends of the Dawson family believe that Chris killed Lyn so he was free to be with Joanne, and though he was the last person to see his wife alive, police found insufficient grounds to charge him with her murder.

Over “at least eight episodes”, the podcast will uncover new evidence thanks to “key witnesses…coming forward for the first time.” Lyn’s family and friends are hoping it’s enough to solve the case.

There’s been two episodes so far, and it’s already super sordid — the teacher-student stuff is bad enough, but there’s also an exceptionally creepy element to Chris’ relationship with his twin brother, Paul.

You can download it HERE, or give it a listen on Apple Podcasts.

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