"From right this moment on, we want her to be recognized and remembered as Lynette Pleasure Simms."
As Chris Dawson was being transferred to Silverwater Jail to serve an 18-year sentence for the homicide of his spouse Lynette, the Sydney mum's household reclaimed her maiden identify.
Greg Simms paid tribute to his "light" sister as he acknowledged the "very lengthy, painful and difficult journey" his household confronted bringing justice to Lynette, who had been considered a lacking particular person for many years following her 1982 disappearance.
"The system was in opposition to us, however we obtained there in the long run," Simms mentioned exterior court docket.
"We actually did not consider at the present time would ever come."
"For our household, Lyn will all the time be remembered as a contented, light, beneficiant and loving daughter, sister, mom, niece, aunt and pal," Simms mentioned.
Justice Ian Harrison famous Dawson might effectively die in jail as he handed down his sentence for killing and disposing of Lynette's physique, however Simms mentioned he hoped for him to "stay a protracted life" to face the load of his crime for years to return.
"No sentence is lengthy sufficient for taking somebody's life. Twenty-four years is great, he might not stay for twenty-four years however I hope he lives for fairly a very long time," Simms' spouse Merilyn added.
There's one factor that also pains the household; that Lynette's physique has by no means been recovered.
Simms mentioned he did not consider Dawson, who he mentioned "discarded" his sister, would ever reveal that element, permitting them to lastly lay her to relaxation.
He thanked Lynette's household and buddies who had "labored in an unofficial capability" with police and media to get solutions concerning the Sydney mum-of-two's remaining days, together with Justice Harrison, the Division of Prosecutions and media, together with 9's Ben Fordham.
Simms made particular point out of journalist Hedley Thomas, whose widespread Gold Walkley Award profitable true crime podcast The Trainer's Pet, thrust the chilly case again into the limelight, reigniting the investigation.
"It is our time to start residing our lives with out having this hanging over our heads," Simms mentioned.
"Chris Dawson has had 40 years of freedom. Now, it is our flip."
Dawson has launched an enchantment in opposition to his conviction however Simms mentioned "if he desires to enchantment, he is appealed the whole lot else, he might as effectively go the total hog".
"So far as we're involved, right this moment is the final of it. Finito," Simms mentioned.