Teacher's Pet Shock Arrest: Schoolgirl Tells All

The Teacher’s Pet case transfixed the nation. And on Dec. 5, in a shock development, Chris Dawson was arrested by police who, for three years, had been reinvestigating the “disappearance and possible homicide” of his former wife Lynette.

- Emma Levett

A day later, Dawson was extradited from Queensland to NSW where he was charged with murder. He appeared at Central Local Court in Sydney via video link. He did not immediately apply for bail and his lawyer, Greg Walsh, told media his client intended to plead “not guilty”. Mr Walsh also expressed concerns over whether Dawson would receive a fair trial and claimed there was evidence Lyn “was observed by a number of people” after her disappearance.

In the wake of the week’s sensational developments, Lyn’s family spoke out – with her brother Greg telling The Teacher’s Pet podcast: “Every time we’re talking to someone I get a bit emotional but that’s to be expected.” His wife Merilyn added: “We’re a bit numb.”

Now one of Chris’ former students has opened up about the dramatic turn of events and the memories it brings back. Michelle Walsh, one of Dawson’s former pupils at Cromer High where he was a PE teacher, tells New Idea of her “relief ” over an arrest. “It’s for Lyn finally being recognised,” she says.