It was one of Australia's most high-profile murder cases and took more than 40 years to solve — eventually, four lies put Chris Dawson behind bars.
Dawson, 73, pleaded not guilty to murdering his first wife Lynette, who disappeared on Sydney's northern beaches in January 1982.
Although the case against him was wholly circumstantial, Justice Ian Harrison detailed in his marathon five-hour judgement how a series of lies Dawson told after his wife's disappearance "demonstrated a guilty conscience".
During the trial, the Crown alleged Dawson had been keen to pursue an "unfettered relationship" with the family's teenaged babysitter, who can only be referred to as JC.
It's where Justice Harrison started his list of Dawson's lies.
1. Dawson lied about his interest in JC
Dawson's infatuation with JC was an important part of the prosecution's case, and it was presented as a motive the former school teacher may have had for killing Lynette.
The Crown argued that, if a messy divorce could be avoided, Dawson stood to benefit financially.
Dawson's legal team claimed he had been hesitant to enter a relationship with JC, even after Lynette disappeared.
But Justice Harrison said the evidence showed Dawson was "obsessed" with JC, and the "relationship" between the teacher and student underwent an "evolution" over a period of more than a year, during which it became "more and more intense".
2. Dawson lied about wanting to resume his relationship with Lynette
During the trial, a video was played of a police interview the former rugby league player gave in 1991.
In it, Dawson told police there were "nights that I lay awake crying my heart out hoping for some contact from Lyn".
But on Tuesday, Justice Harrison rejected that claim, saying there was evidence beyond reasonable doubt the high school teacher had been "enthusiastic to leave" Lynette.
He said he accepted Dawson had become so "distressed" and "frustrated" at the prospect of losing JC, that he resolved to kill Lynette.
3. Dawson lied about phone calls with Lynette after she went missing
The judge found Dawson lied to suggest his wife was still alive, including claiming he spoke to her several times over the phone after she went missing.
Justice Harrison said the descriptions of these calls were "bereft of details".
He noted that, in Dawson's 1991 police interview, the accused had claimed he received a call from Lynette at the Northbridge Baths the day after she went missing.
"The only evidence Mr Dawson received a phone call from Ms Dawson comes from Mr Dawson," he said.
He pointed out Lynette had not called any friends and family since she was last seen.
4. Dawson lied about Lynette's emotional state
During the trial, Dawson's legal team argued Lynette left because she could see their marriage was broken.
They argued she showed "signs of distress" the day before she disappeared and was so disappointed about her husband's relationship with JC that she "saw no other option" but to leave her entire life behind.
In handing down the verdict, Justice Harrison noted Chris Dawson was "once again the only source of information" for this claim.
He said circumstantial evidence suggested Ms Dawson was "in good spirits" and "optimistic" about her marriage, and that there was "no strong evidence" Lynette had "some sort of emotional breakdown".
