Rewards up to $200,000 will be paid by the Government of South Australia, at the discretion of the Commissioner of Police, to anyone who provides information and assistance that leads to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the suspected murder of Patricia Dawson (and/or leading to the location and recovery of the victim’s remains).

 REWARD up to $200,000

Patricia Mary Dawson was reported as a missing person on 14 April 1972, aged 33 years. Her husband, Peter Dawson, reported that he had last seen her at 11.15 p.m. on Tuesday 11 April 1972, when he drove from their Ingle Farm home to Adelaide to buy a newspaper. He left her at home with their two children, aged four and six. He returned home at 12.30 a.m. on 12 April 1972, and soon after found her missing but the children still in bed asleep. He told police he discovered about $390 in cash gone from Mrs Dawson’s bedroom wardrobe as well as some of her clothing. Despite checks with relatives and friends there has been no contact from, or sightings of Mrs Dawson since the night of her disappearance. She is presumed murdered.

In 2005, police arrested Peter Dawson for murder and he was committed for trial. Prior to the trial commencing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions determined there was insufficient evidence for the matter to proceed. Peter Dawson has since died.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, on-line or

email an investigator.