Chris Dawson arrested for murder of his wife Lyns in 1982

Chris Dawson was arrested on the Gold Coast in connection with the death of his wife Lynette, who disappeared from their Sydney home almost 37 years ago.

The 70-year-old was arrested on Wednesday morning following new statements from at least two witnesses. He was denied bail and an extradition request from New South Wales Police from Queensland was granted.

Mrs Dawson was 33 when she disappeared from Sydney’s northern beaches in January 1982, leaving behind two young daughters. Two days later, her husband and his school friend moved in with him.

The case gained notoriety this year through The Australian’s investigative podcast series “The Teacher’s Pet.”

Detectives from the New South Wales state homicide squad began re-investigating her alleged murder in 2015 and asked the Crown Prosecution Service to review its evidence in April this year.

Earlier this week, the OPPD provided advice to police and after further investigation, detectives applied for an arrest warrant before travelling to Queensland.

The 70-year-old appeared before the Southport Local Court, where New South Wales Police requested his extradition.

Dawson instructed his lawyers to apply for bail, but his request was denied.

The former Newtown Jets rugby player has long been considered a suspect in the case, but denies any involvement in his wife’s disappearance.

In September, police dug up the backyard of the couple’s Bayview home but found no remains or items of interest.

Lynette Dawson’s family have been informed of the arrest and police will address reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.