Dingo baby mystery unsolved as case stays closed

THE fate of a baby girl who disappeared in the Australian outback 24 years ago could remain a mystery, after coroners said they won’t reopen their investigation, despite a man’s recent claim he shot a wild dog that killed the child.

The disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain was thrust back into the spotlight in July when 78-year-old retiree Frank Cole went public with his claims. He said he had shot a dingo while camping in central Australia the night Azaria went missing in 1980, and that the animal had a baby girl’s body in its jaws.

The baby’s mother, Lindy Chamberlain, was convicted of murdering her daughter in 1982 and jailed, but was released after four years when a piece of Azaria’s clothing was discovered, supporting her claim the baby was taken by a dog.