NSW Police found no new evidence almost a week after beginning a dig at the former home of missing mother-of-two and nurse Lynette Dawson.
The house, located in Bayview in Sydney‘s Northern Beaches, was owned by Ms Dawson and her former husband, PE teacher Chris Dawson before her disappearance in 1982. Days after, Mr Dawson entered into a relationship with his 16-year-old student Joanne Curtis, who then moved into the family home.
Mr Dawson did not report his wife’s disappearance to police for six weeks.
Police said in a statement on Monday: “The operation, conducted as part of ongoing investigations into the suspected murder of Lynette Dawson, commenced last Wednesday and concluded today.”
Detective Superintendent Scott Cook previously told the media the dig would take place in areas including the backyard, particularly between a rock and the home and near the clothesline.
Authorities confirmed they did not find Ms Dawson’s remains “or any items of interest to the investigation.”
“Detectives from the Homicide Squad’s Unsolved Homicide Unit established Strike Force Scriven in 2015 to re-investigate Lynette’s disappearance and are committed to providing answers to her family.”
Two separate coronial inquests, one in 2001 and another in 2003, found that Mr Dawson had most likely murdered his wife however he was never charged due to a lack of evidence. Mr Dawson has always maintained his innocence, denying any involvement with his wife’s disappearance.
Mr Dawson claims Ms Dawson left the family, after ringing him to say she needed time away.
Ms Dawson’s disappearance attracted renewed interest following the globally popular podcast Teacher’s Pet.
