The Azaria Chamberlain Case

By MaddyCahill
  • Azaria Chamberlain born

    Azaria Chamberlain born

    The third child of Lindy and Michael Chamberlain
  • Azaria goes missing

    Azaria goes missing

    Lindy heard baby Azaria crying and goes to check on her when she then cries out: "My God, my God, the dingo's got my baby!" Three hundred people, including Aboriginal trackers, search the area but find nothing.
  • Azarias clothes found

    Azarias clothes found

    Azaria's torn jumpsuit, booties, singlet and nappy found near the rock.

  • Coroners first investigation

  • Coroner Denis Barritt finds that a dingo killed Azaria, but someone had later interferred with her clothes that were found

  • NT police search the Chamberlains home

  • Blood found in Car

  • Second investigation begins

  • Lindy is charged; Michael Chamberlain, Lindy's husband is charged as an accomplice.

    Lindy is charged; Michael Chamberlain, Lindy's husband is charged as an accomplice.

  • New evidence presented

  • Court trial begins in Darwin

    Camberlains' Supreme Court trial begins in Darwin.

  • Lindy found guilty, and recieves a life sentence. Michael Chamberlain receives an 18 month suspended sentence

  • Lindy gives birth to daughter; Kahlia whilst in custody. The baby is taken away from Lindy at birth.

    Lindy was taken to hospital to give birth but still under police supervision.

  • Lindy Chamberlain, two days after giving birth to a baby girl, is released on bail pending an appeal.

  • Chamberlains appeal

  • Appeal gets rejected

  • A petition with 131,000 signatures calling for Lindy's release and a judicial inquiry into the case is presented to the Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen.

  • "Evil Angels," a book by John Bryson, provides an in-depth look at the Chamberlain case, and suggests that they might have been wrongfully convicted.

  • The Matinee jacket is found.

    Azarias missing matinee jacket is found at Uluru

  • Lindy released from prison on suspension.

  • American T.V show interview the Camberlains as part of a story strongly suggesting their innocence.

  • Justice Moorling issues a 379-page report analyzing the evidence in the Chamberlain case.

  • Chamberlains released.

    This supports the Chamberlain's defence case

  • A royal comission endorses clearing Chamberlains of guilt.

    Northern Territory administrator pardons both Chamberlains.

  • NT court of Criminal Appeal overturns sentence. Chamberlains are declared innocent.

  • A movie about the Chamberlain case, "A Cry in the Dark" (or "Evil Angels") starring Meryl Streep as Lindy Chamberlain, is released.

  • NT government pays Chamberlains $1.3 million... compensation, $396,000 legal costs plus $19,000 for their car which was dismantled for evidence.

  • Lindy Chamberlain marries Rick Creighton, an American publisher

  • Coroner John Lowndes cannot determine the cause of Azaria's death. The third investigation records an open finding.

  • Frank Cole claims he shot a dingo at Uluru in 1980 and found Azaria in its jaws.

  • Mr Cole goes public about his claims and says he believes his friend buried Azaria's body in Melbourne.

  • NT Police tell Mr Cole's they'll investigate his claims and prepare a report for the coroner.

  • Lindy calls for the case to be closed, and for an apology from the NT government.

  • NT Coroner's decide not to reopen the investigation of Azarias death, as they're not satisfied that there were new facts or evidence from the Cole investigation

  • After a series of dingo attacks, a fourth coroners investigation is opened of the death of Azarias death.

    After a series of dingo attacks, a fourth coroners investigation is opened of the death of Azarias death.

    Lindy Chamberlain expresses the hope that the inquest will both clear her name and alert the public to the fact that "dingoes are a dangerous animal."