The NSW Government today (Thursday 23 January 2013) announced that a $200,000 reward would be offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the disappearance and presumed murder of a woman last seen in January 1982.
Lynette Joy Dawson, a 33-year-old mother-of-two, went missing on or around Saturday 9 January 1982.
While at home with her husband on the evening of Friday 8 January 1982, Lynette Dawson phoned her mother. After chatting for a while, mother and daughter agreed to meet for lunch at Northbridge Baths the following day (9 January 1982). However, Lynette never arrived.
She was officially reported missing on 18 February 1982 by her husband, Christopher Dawson.
Detective Sergeant Damian Loone from the Sydney City Local Area Command is leading the investigation into Mrs Dawson’s disappearance, and believes there are people out there who know what happened to her.
“We have received some useful information and support from members of the public on this investigation,” Detective Sergeant Loone said.
“Yet we do believe there are people out there who know exactly what has happened to Lynette but are either afraid or unwilling to share that information with police.
“If you know where she is, or what has happened to her, please give us a call.
“We don’t need to know who you are; all we need is the information you have to hand. You can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously and your call will be treated in the strictest of confidence.”
Detective Sergeant Loone added that investigators do not believe Mrs Dawson was responsible for her own disappearance.
“At the time of her disappearance, Lynette was the loving mother of two daughters – a two-year-old and a four-year-old,” Detective Sergeant Loone said.
“She was also extremely close to her parents and three siblings.
“We think it’s highly unlikely that Lynette staged her own disappearance. She had so much to live for.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Michael Gallacher, said Lynette Dawson’s family had been suffering for 32 years, caught in a state of ongoing uncertainty about the whereabouts and fate of their beloved relative.
“Lynette’s family has had to get on with their lives not knowing what happened to her," Minister Gallacher said.
“To this day, her now-adult children have no idea where she is or why she never came home.
“Lynette’s loving parents died without ever knowing what happened to their daughter.
“After more than three decades, her family are desperate for closure and at the very least, they deserve that.
“If you have information that may help detectives find and catch the person or people responsible for Lynette’s disappearance, please do the right thing and call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” Minister Gallacher said.
In 2010, the NSW Government announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Mrs Dawson’s disappearance. The reward has now been increased to $200,000.
Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.