Where is Joanne Curtis now? All about Chris Dawson’s ex-wife from World's Most Notorious Killers 

World’s Most Notorious Killers is a new crime series on Peacock that explores infamous murder cases worldwide, including the case of Chris Dawson. Released on September 17, 2024, the show covers five major cases, including Dawson's conviction for his wife’s murder. All episodes are available for streaming on Peacock.

Joanne Curtis, Chris Dawson's former wife, now lives quietly away from the media. After testifying in his trial, she retreated from the spotlight and resides in Sydney, focusing on her personal healing and maintaining a low profile. Joanne Curtis has not made any recent public appearances and continues to avoid interviews or any form of media engagement.

Her life today revolves around her private interests and staying out of the public eye reflecting her desire to move past the tumultuous events associated with her ex-husband. Joanne Curtis' story of survival and her subsequent privacy push her need for tranquility after years in the harsh glare of public scrutiny.

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What did Joanne Curtis go through?

Noir (Image sourced from Unsplash)

The Chris Dawson case revolves around the mysterious disappearance and presumed murder of his wife, Lynette Dawson, in January 1982. The case gained significant media and public attention, especially after the podcast The Teacher's Pet revived interest and led to a new investigation.

Lynette Dawson went missing from their home in Bayview, Sydney. At the time, she was a dedicated nurse and mother of two. Chris Dawson, a former rugby league player and high school teacher, became a prime suspect due to his behavior and actions following her disappearance.

Investigations revealed that Chris Dawson had begun an inappropriate relationship with Joanne Curtis who was a student at Cromer High School where he taught. Joanne was only 16 when their affair began. This relationship escalated, and by the time Lynette disappeared, Joanne was living with the Dawson family, having moved in under the guise of being a nanny for the Dawson children.

Despite extensive searches and two coronial inquests in 2001 and 2003, Lynette’s body was never found. The inquests determined that Lynette Dawson was deceased and likely murdered by a known person, with Chris Dawson being the primary suspect. But due to insufficient evidence at the time no charges were laid.

The case stagnated until the release of The Teacher's Pet podcast in 2018, which scrutinized the initial police investigation and publicized the many discrepancies and overlooked details. The public outcry and media coverage generated by the podcast led to a new police investigation and Chris Dawson was arrested in December 2018.

In 2022, Chris Dawson was tried and found guilty of murdering Lynette Dawson. The prosecution argued that Chris had a motive to kill Lynette primarily to have Joanne Curtis live with him as his partner without any marital complications.

Throughout the trial evidence was presented showing Chris Dawson's manipulation and control over both Lynette and Joanne including testimonies about his abusive behavior towards Lynette prior to her disappearance.

Noir (Image sourced from Unsplash)

The trial detailed how Chris Dawson misled his children and others by suggesting Lynette had left voluntarily. He provided various accounts of Lynette joining a religious group or moving away to start anew, none of which were substantiated by any credible evidence.

Following his conviction, Chris Dawson was sentenced to prison, marking a significant closure on a case that had remained unresolved for over 40 years. Joanne Curtis, who had married Chris Dawson after Lynette’s disappearance and later divorced him, played a crucial role in the trial by testifying against him. Her testimony provided key insights into the life and environment within the Dawson household during and after Lynette’s disappearance.

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World’s Most Notorious Killers is available on Peacock for streaming to know more about Joanne Curtis.