The Teacher's Pet

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Lyn and Chris Dawson appear to have the perfect marriage. He's a star footballer and popular high school teacher. She's a devoted wife and mother. They share a beautiful home above Sydney's northern beaches. But when Lyn goes missing, dark secrets are buried. This is no fairytale, but a sordid story of strangely close twin brothers, teenage student lovers, and probable murder. The Australian's Hedley Thomas digs deep into a cold case which has been unsolved for 36 years, uncovering startling new evidence.

  1. From The Front: Chris Dawson is staying in jail

    13/06/2024

    From The Front: Chris Dawson is staying in jail

    This is an episode of The Australian's daily news podcast, The Front.  Chris Dawson has suffered another humiliation, losing an appeal against his conviction for the 1982 murder of his wife Lynette in 1982. Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Original music is composed by Jasper Leak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    18 min
  2. Listen to episode 1 of BRONWYN

    31/05/2024

    Listen to episode 1 of BRONWYN

    The Teacher's Pet creator Hedley Thomas returns with a new podcast investigation for The Australian.  Subscribers to The Australian and registered users hear episodes of ‘Bronwyn’ first. Plus, you can read more about this case and see exclusive stories, maps, timelines, graphics, video and more at bronwynpodcast.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 12m
  3. From The Front: Hedley Thomas’ new cold case podcast, 'Bronwyn'

    24/05/2024

    From The Front: Hedley Thomas’ new cold case podcast, 'Bronwyn'

    Where is Bronwyn Winfield? The devoted mum has been missing since 1993 – and the man behind The Teacher’s Pet is on the case.   Go to theaustralian.com.au/bronwyn to listen. Plus, you can read more about this case and see exclusive stories, maps, timelines, graphics, video and more. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Josh Burton. The multimedia editor is Lia Tsamoglou and original music is composed by Jasper Leak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    21 min
  4. From The Front: The Teacher's Appeal

    13/05/2024

    From The Front: The Teacher's Appeal

    Christopher Michael Dawson has launched an appeal, arguing Justice Ian Harrison got it wrong — and claiming he’s not guilty of Lyn’s murder.  The Front is covering the NSW Supreme Court proceedings every day. Find out more about it here, or keep up to date on The Australian's website and app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. The multimedia editor is Lia Tsamoglou and original music is composed by Jasper Leak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    19 min

  5. 27/11/2023

    Bonus episode: Hedley Thomas talks The Teacher's Pet with Raymond Bonner

    Hedley Thomas sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winner and former NYT foreign correspondent Raymond Bonner to discuss his new book, The Teacher's Pet, at Bookoccino book shop on Sydney's Northern Beaches.  The book is published by Pan Macmillan and is available at all good bookstores, and wherever you get audiobooks.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 2m
  6. From I Catch Killers with Gary Jubelin: Remembering Lynette with Hedley Thomas (Part 2)

    18/11/2023

    From I Catch Killers with Gary Jubelin: Remembering Lynette with Hedley Thomas (Part 2)

    Lynette Dawson, now remembered as Lynette Simms, went missing from her Bayview home in 1982. But it would take another 40 years for her husband Chris Dawson to be convicted of her murder. In this special episode of the I Catch Killers podcast, Hedley Thomas shares his  personal connection to Lyn’s story with host Gary Jubelin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  7. From I Catch Killers with Gary Jubelin: Catching A Killer with Hedley Thomas (Part 1)

    18/11/2023

    From I Catch Killers with Gary Jubelin: Catching A Killer with Hedley Thomas (Part 1)

    A school teacher, a missing wife, and the student caught in the middle. The Teacher’s Pet was the podcast that captivated the world. In this special episode of the I Catch Killers podcast, award-winning journalist Hedley Thomas joins host Gary Jubelin to discuss the ins and outs of the investigation into Lynette Dawson’s disappearance — ultimately landing murderer Chris Dawson behind bars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    48 min

  8. 10/11/2023

    Bonus episode: Hedley reads Chapter 1 of his new book, The Teacher's Pet

    Listen to Hedley Thomas reading Chapter 1 of his new book, The Teacher's Pet. The book is published by Pan Macmillan and is available at all good bookstores, and wherever you get audiobooks.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    26 min
See All (26)

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    • From Hedley Thomas and the journalists at The Australian, The Teacher's Trial follows the events in the trial of Chris Dawson, who is accused of the murder of his wife Lynette Dawson. To read The Australian's ongoing coverage of the trial search The Teacher's Trial or click here.

      • 4.6 (43)
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    • Shandee Blackburn was brutally murdered as she walked home from work - but this cold-case can still be solved. Gold Walkley-winning journalist Hedley Thomas - who created The Teacher’s Pet and The Night Driver - goes deep to find out who killed Shandee, and why.  Episodes of the podcast first, plus exclusive stories, videos, pictures and extraordinary evidence are available with a subscription through The Australian's app, or at shandee.com.au To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story email here - Shandee@theaustralian.com.au

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      • 4.5 (17)
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    • Theo Hayez is missing in Byron Bay, a beautiful beachside town on Australia’s most easterly mainland point, frequently in the spotlight for its famous residents. Theo's from Brussels. He's 18 and on a backpacking holiday when he vanishes in May 2019. Behind the scenes local volunteers who've never met Theo begin searching and investigating with his family, parallel to a major police investigation. At the request of Theo's family, The Australian newspaper's national crime correspondent David Murray joins the unofficial search party to investigate the mysterious disappearance for a new podcast series, The Lighthouse. Theo left a local bar around 11pm. As the search narrows to the area around the 118-year-old Cape Byron Lighthouse, a range of theories emerge. From the newspaper that brought you The Teacher's Pet and Who The Hell is Hamish, The Lighthouse investigates all possible scenarios as it takes you inside an extraordinary search. To read more about the disappearance of Theo Hayez, and access exclusive photos and video material, go to www.lighthousepodcast.com.au.

      • 4.4 (56)
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    Hosts & Guests

    4.6
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    627 Ratings

    About

    Lyn and Chris Dawson appear to have the perfect marriage. He's a star footballer and popular high school teacher. She's a devoted wife and mother. They share a beautiful home above Sydney's northern beaches. But when Lyn goes missing, dark secrets are buried. This is no fairytale, but a sordid story of strangely close twin brothers, teenage student lovers, and probable murder. The Australian's Hedley Thomas digs deep into a cold case which has been unsolved for 36 years, uncovering startling new evidence.

    Information

    • Channel
      Crime X
    • Creator
      The Australian
    • Years Active
      2018 - 2024
    • Episodes
      26
    • Rating
      Explicit
    • Copyright
      © 2025 News Corp Australia
    • Show Website
      The Teacher's Pet
    • Provider

      News Corp Australia has not identified itself as a trader for this podcast. If you are a consumer in the European Economic Area, consumer rights do not apply to agreements between you and the provider.

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