A man has been arrested in Queensland on behalf of NSW Homicide Squad detectives investigating the 1982 disappearance of Northern Beaches wife and mother, Lynette Joy Dawson, NSW Police say.
Lyn Dawson, a 33-year-old mother-of-two, went missing on or around Saturday 9 January 1982.
She was officially reported missing on 18 February 1982, and despite investigations at the time and over the years, she has never been located.
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.
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 a home in Biggera Waters, on the Gold Coast, in Queensland.
The man has been charged with an arrest warrant and he appeared at Southport Magistrates Court today, where NSW detectives applied for and were granted his extradition to Sydney.
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Scott Cook, praised the work of Strike Force Scriven investigators.
"A team of dedicated detectives has been investigating this case over the past three years," Det Supt Cook said.
"The resolve of the Unsolved Homicide Unit detectives shows that they will continue to search for the truth, no matter how many years may pass."
Lynette Dawson’s family has been advised of today’s arrest. They have requested privacy at this time.
Further information will be available when it comes to hand.
