Baby coat ‘was worn by Azaria’

Press, 6 February 1986, Page 1

Baby coat ‘was worn by Azaria’

NZPA-AAP Darwin Lindy Chamberlain told the police yesterday that she believed the baby’s jacket found at Ayers Rock last Sunday was the matinee jacket worn by her daughter, Azaria. Chamberlain was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1982 for the murder of her nine-week-old daughter, Azaria, in August, 1980, at Ayers Rock. She inspected the garment at the police headquarters yesterday afternoon in the presence of her legal lawyers. The Northern Territory Police Commissioner, Mr Peter McAulay said investigation of the garment and the area where it was found would be done by the Victorian Forensic Science Unit.

Mr McAulay said the garment and other items that had been found so far would be taken to

Melbourne for testing. He said the police had agreed to involve Victorian agencies to avoid any criticism of the results arising from the forensic examination. Extra police have been sent to Ayers Rock to help in the search for more clothing. A 24-hour police guard has been put on the site. The Northern Territory police have found a button, a maker’s identification tag, and organic matter near where the jacket was found. Darwin forensic investigators found the new items about 10cm below the surface. Mr McAulay emphasised that the jacket was found in an area that had been minutely searched when Azaria disappeared. Asked if the jacket could have been overlooked, he said, “I don’t think it is possible.”