Loading October 1981: Following difficulties in Joanne's home life, she moved into the Dawsons’ family home in Bayview, on Sydney's northern beaches, at Mr Dawson's invitation. Joanne spends the next few years between the Bayview property, Mr Dawson's twin brother's home and her mother's home. Towards the end of the year, Joanne alleged that Mr Dawson had tried to hire a hitman to kill his wife. January 8, 1982: The Dawsons attended marriage counselling. Mrs Dawson's friend, Sue Strath, told the ABC in 2003: "I had seen her walking hand-in-hand with him, walking back into work [after the session]. And she was very positive, very hopeful for the future." Later that evening, Mrs Dawson's mother, Helena Simms, called to speak to her daughter. During their chat, Mrs Simms noted her daughter sounded “sozzled”. Greg Simms, Mrs Dawson’s brother, told the ABC in 2003 that Mrs Dawson had said to their mother that “everything is just going to be fine”.

Chris Dawson, pictured in 1975. January 9, 1982: Mr Dawson alleged he drove his wife to a bus stop so she could return clothes in Chatswood, The Teacher's Pet podcast reported. The family had plans to meet Mrs Simms at Northbridge Baths later that day. While Mr Dawson, his two daughters and Mrs Simms were at the baths, Mr Dawson received a phone call he alleged was from his wife. He said she needed time away and was going to the Central Coast with some friends. January 10, 1982: Joanne permanently moved into the Bayview property, sleeping in Mrs Dawson's bed. The Teacher's Pet podcast reported Joanne wore Mrs Dawson's clothes and jewellery.

Joanne Curtis leaves the 2003 inquest into Mrs Dawson's disappearance. Credit:Sean Davey January 12-26, 1982: Mr Dawson alleged his wife called him several times and she had used her bank card twice. February 18, 1982: Six weeks passed before Mr Dawson reported to Mona Vale police that his wife was missing. 1983: Mr Dawson sought legal advice to divorce Mrs Dawson. Their divorce is finalised that year. January 1984: Mr Dawson and Joanne Curtis were married. Mr Dawson reset his first wife’s rings for his new wife. The couple divorced nine years later.

January 2000: Police excavated part of the Bayview property. They uncovered a woman’s pink cardigan that appeared to have been slashed. Forensic testing did not show a positive match for Mrs Dawson’s DNA, The Teacher's Pet podcast reported. February 2001: The first coronial inquest was held. Deputy State Coroner Jan Stevenson concluded that Mrs Dawson had been murdered and that her killer was someone she knew. The coroner recommended charges be laid. The then-Director of Public Prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery, QC, refused to do so because he said there was not enough evidence. February 2003: A second coronial inquest was held. Coroner Carl Milovanovich recommended laying charges against Mr Dawson. August 2003: Mr Cowdery refused to prosecute Mr Dawson, citing the same reasons as in 2001.

2015: The NSW Police Force unsolved homicide unit re-investigated Mrs Dawson’s suspected murder. April 2018: Following extensive investigations, detectives requested the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to review its brief of evidence. September 12, 2018: NSW Police dug up the Bayview property but did not find any trace of Mrs Dawson’s body. Police excavate the Bayview house in September this year, trying to find Mrs Dawson's body or items of interest. Credit:NSW Police December 5, 2018: Mr Dawson was arrested in Queensland and was expected to be charged in NSW over the death of Mrs Dawson. Her nephew David Jenkins tweeted: "I'm shaking. There is a long road in front of us in bringing Lyn home, but this is a big step."