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Azaria's Birth
Azaria Chantel Loren Chamberlain is born. -
Disappearence
9 week old Azaria disappeared from the family tent at the Ayers Rock campsite. -
Clothing Found
Azaria’s clothing, including her jumpsuit and singlet are found by tourists near a dingo lair at the base of the Rock, 4km away from the campsite. -
First Coroner's Inquest
The first coroner’s inquest into the death of Azaria Chamberlain opens before Coroner Denis Barritt. -
First Inquest Verdict
Denis Barrett determines that the cause of Azaria’s death was that she was taken by a wild dingo, but also that there had been interference with the infants clothing by unknown persons. -
House Search
The Chamberlain’s home is searched. -
First Inquest Rejected
Northern Territory Supreme Court rejects the findings of the first inquest and orders that a second inquest is held. -
Second Coroner's Inquest
The second coroner’s inquest begins in front of Coroner Gerry P. Galvin. -
Commited to Trial
Lindy Chamberlain, Azaria’s mother is committed to trial of murder and husband Michael Chamberlain is charged as an accessary after the fact. Both are released on bail. -
Trial Begins
The Chamberlain trial begins in the N.T. Supreme Court in Darwin before Justice James Muirhead. -
Jury's Verdict
The jury finds Lindy Chamberlain guilty of murder and Michael Chamberlain guilty of being an accessory after the fact. Lindy is sentenced to life imprisonment and Michael is released with a 18 month suspended sentence. -
Birth
Lindy Chamberlain gives birth to a baby girl; Kahlia in custody. -
Bail
Lindy is released on bail pending an appeal to the Federal Court. -
Appeal
The Federal Court hears the Chamberlain’s appeal. -
Appeal Rejected
The Federal Court rejects the appeal and Lindy returns to prison. -
Temporary Release
Lindy’s solicitor, Stuart Tripple, applies for temporary release after Lindy’s son Reagan suffers a severe eye injury and is hospitalised. Release was not granted. -
Australia's High Court
The Chamberlains appeal their convictions to Australia’s High Court. -
High Court Verdict
Second inquests convictions stand with Australia’s High Court Judges voting 3 to 2. -
Petition
A petition of 131,000 signatures (later 150,000) calling for the release of Lindy and a court inquiry into the case is presented to Sir Ninian Stevens, Australia’s Governor General. -
Early Release
Northern Territory Government turns down Lindy’s application for early release from prison. -
Matinee Jacket
Azaria’s missing matinee jacket (worn on the night of her disappearance) is found at Uluru, near a previously unknown dingo lairs. The finding supports the Chamberlain’s defence case. -
Idenitying the Jacket
Lindy identifies the matinee jacket as Azaria’s. -
Release
Lindy Chamberlain is released from prison. The N.T. Government announces a Royal Commission into the case. Regardless of the Royal Commission’s findings, Lindy will not return to jail. -
Convictions Ought Not To Stand
Justice Morling concludes that the Chamberlains’ convictions ought not to stand. Saying ‘I do not think any jury could properly convict them on the evidence as it now appears.’ -
Pardoned
The Chamberlains are pardoned. The Royal Commission recommends the clearing of the Chamberlains of all guilt and responsibility for the death of Azaria. -
Quashes Convictions
Northern Territory Court of Criminal Appeal quashes (rejects) all convictions against Lindy and Michael. The Chamberlains are declared innocent. -
Divorce
Lindy and Michael’s divorce becomes final. -
Compensation
The Chamberlains are awarded $1.3 million compensation for wrongful imprisonment. This sum covers about one quarter of their legal expenses. -
Marriage
Rick Creighton and Lindy marry. They choose to live in Washington, USA. They later return to Australia in 1998. -
Third Coroner's Inquest
The third coroner’s inquest before John Lowndens. He finds that ‘Azaria Chantel Loren Chamberlain died at Ayers Rock on 17 August 1980. As to the cause of her death and the manner in which she died the evidence adduced does not enable me to say. I therefore return an open finding and record the cause and manner of death as unknown.’ (month written is accurate, date is not) -
New Inquiry Request
The Chamberlains write to the Northern Territory Government requesting a new inquiry that will officially state that "the death of Azaria was due to a dingo’. (Year is accurate, month and date are not) -
Fourth Coroner's Inquest
A fourth coroner’s inquest into the death of Azaria is opened before Coroner ELizabeth Morris. (month is accuate, date is not) -
Final Verdict
The inquest finds that: ‘Azaria Chamberlain died at Uluru, then known as Ayres Rock, on the 17th of August 1980. The cause of her death was as the result of being attacked and taken by a dingo’.