Australian True Crime22 Okt 2025

Shortcut: Former Detective Damian Loone on the Disappearance of Cheryl Grimmer Re-Issue

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.

Some of you may recognise the name and voice of this episode’s guest, It’s retired NSW Police Detective Sergeant Damian Loone who featured on Hedley Thomas’s extraordinary podcast The Teacher’s Pet. Damian investigated the 1982 disappearance of Sydney mum Lynnette Dawson for years, bringing the case to two coronial inquests. Lynette’s former husband Chris Dawson was charged with her murder in 2018 and is awaiting trial.

Damian features again in another major podcast that’s gripped listeners' attention worldwide. It’s the excellent BBC Sounds multi-episode podcast Fairy Meadow about 3-year-old Cheryl Grimmer’s haunting disappearance from Fairy Meadow Beach in Wollongong in 1970.

Damian and Detective Frank Sanvitale, were the detectives tasked with having another look at Cheryl’s disappearance. The case had basically gone nowhere for more than 45 years until the file was passed to them.

If you'd like to assist the Grimmer family, you can also sign this petition - addressed to Attorney General Speakman - to help in the fight to find justice for Cheryl.

The BBC Sounds podcast Fairy Meadow, hosted by Jon Kay, can be found here.

There is a $1 Million dollar reward from NSW Police for information about Cheryl’s abduction and murder.

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram here

Guest: Damian Loone

Producer/Editor: Lachie Flannigan

Executive Producer: Jacqueline Tonks

GET IN TOUCH:

Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast

Email the show at hello@australiantruecrimepodcast.com

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