Probe into Lynette Dawson’s disappearance was suspended after reports of sighting, court hears

Former detective Paul Mayger tells Chris Dawson murder trial homicide investigation called off in 1992 after Dawson told police his wife had been spotted

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our free news app; get our morning email briefing

A homicide investigation into the 1982 disappearance of Lynette Dawson was called off because police had been told she had been seen alive and well afterwards, a court has heard.

Giving evidence in the murder trial of Chris Dawson on Tuesday, former Det Sgt Paul Mayger said the investigation was suspended in May 1992 after discussions with either the office of the coroner or of the director of public prosecutions.

Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning