Chamberlain, Lindy (1948–)

views updated

Chamberlain, Lindy (1948–)

Australian accused of murder. Name variations: Lindy Chamberlain Creighton or Chamberlain-Creighton. Born Alice Lynne Murchinson, Mar 4, 1948, in Whakatane, on the North Island of New Zealand; moved to Victoria, Australia, with family as a baby; attended Launceston Technical College; m. Michael Leigh Chamberlain (cleric), Nov 18, 1969 (div. June 1991); m. Rick Creighton (publisher), Dec 20, 1992; children: (1st m.) Aidan Leigh (b. 1973), Reagan Michael (b. 1976), Azaria Chantel (b. June 11, 1980), Kahlia Shonell (b. Nov 17, 1982, in Darwin Hospital while mother was in the custody of Darwin Prison).

During a family camping trip to Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory of Australia, reported seeing her 9-week-old baby taken by a dingo, a wild Australian dog (Aug 17, 1980); accused of murdering her child, was vilified in the press; with the backing of scientific experts, was convicted of murder and husband named as an accessory; sentenced to life with hard labor; when the child's jacket was found (Feb 1986), was exonerated and released.

See also autobiography Through My Eyes (Heinemann, 1990); John Bryson Evil Angels; (film) A Cry in the Dark (1988), starring Meryl Streep.

About this article

Chamberlain, Lindy (1948–)

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article