The evidence that could clear Keli Lane: Prosecutors say 163 babies were unaccounted for when little Tegan vanished - and admit she could still be ALIVE

  • The revelations come from an investigative team looking into the Keli Lane case
  • Ms Lane was jailed for 18 years in 2010 after being found guilty of killing her baby
  • But baby Tegan was never found and prosecutors cannot rule out her being alive
  • The investigation also found 8,000 births a year went unrecorded in the 1990s

By Charlie Coë and Paula Ahillon For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 21:58 EST, 5 November 2018 | Updated: 22:38 EST, 5 November 2018

As many as 163 untraceable children were not taken into account during the search for Keli Lane's daughter Tegan as later as the mother's murder trial.

Lane, who is now 43, was jailed for 18 years in 2010 after she was found guilty of killing her newborn baby Tegan in 1996. The infant's body was never found. 

The convicted murderer has denied killing her daughter, and has raised the possibility Tegan could still be alive during the three-part ABC documentary series Exposed broadcast in September and October.  

As many as 163 children were not taken into account during the search for Ms Lane's (pictured) daughter as late as the 43-year-old's murder trial

As many as 163 children were not taken into account during the search for Ms Lane's (pictured) daughter as late as the 43-year-old's murder trial

Following the series' conclusion, ABC's investigative team led by journalist Caro Meldrum-Hanna revealed the NSW Office of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) told them they too could not rule out the possibility Tegan was still alive.   

Their research found 8,000 births went unregistered each year in the 1990s - poking a hole in the prosecution's investigation.

At the time of Lane's trial, Crown prosecutor Mark Tedeschi QC said in documents he feared the murder trial would be discontinued because of the 'gap' in evidence.

Assistant registrar for the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Sharon Swinbourne told the investigation 'you can't turn around and say yes (the search) was absolutely thorough', ABC revealed. 

RMIT University's Innocence Initiative, meanwhile, has formally applied for a review of Lane's murder conviction to the NSW attorney-general. 

Pictured is crown prosecutor Mark Tedeschi QC, who said in documents he feared the murder trial would be discontinued because of the 'gap' in evidence

Pictured is crown prosecutor Mark Tedeschi QC, who said in documents he feared the murder trial would be discontinued because of the 'gap' in evidence

Assistant registrar for the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages at the time of the trial Sharon Swinbourne (pictured) told the investigation 'you can't turn around and say yes (the search) was absolutely thorough'

Assistant registrar for the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages at the time of the trial Sharon Swinbourne (pictured) told the investigation 'you can't turn around and say yes (the search) was absolutely thorough'

The latest revelations come after the man who spearheaded the murder trial against Lane apologised for calling the baby killer a 'risk to virile young men' during the television exposé.

Nicholas Chowdery, former New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions, admitted some of his comments were out of line in the ABC documentary series.

'She seemed to be a bit of a risk to the virile young male portion of the community,' Mr Chowdery said on the program.

 Lane, who is now 43, was jailed for 18 years in 2010 after she was found guilty of killing her newborn baby Tegan

 Lane, who is now 43, was jailed for 18 years in 2010 after she was found guilty of killing her newborn baby Tegan

Nicholas Chowdery (pictured), former New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions, has apologised for calling Lane a 'risk to virile young men' during a television exposé

Nicholas Chowdery (pictured), former New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions, has apologised for calling Lane a 'risk to virile young men' during a television exposé

Mr Chowdery, who is now the chair for The White Ribbon Foundation, issued an apology which wrote: 'We are all accountable for the language we use, and the impact it has'.

In a statement, he acknowledged the comments he made about Ms Lane in the documentary to be disrespectful.

'White Ribbon Australia's chair acknowledges that his comments and response to questions about Keli Lane on ABC documentary Exposed were not respectful, and he apologises,' a statement released by the foundation read.

'Mr Cowdery supports the need for every person to be mindful of the language that they use and the meaning it can have.'

But Chief Executive of White Ribbon Tracey McLeod hit back on Twitter, claiming Mr Chowdery's apology was 'not acceptable' and a 'a robust' discussion was necessary.  

'Apologies to Keli Lane particularly and women everywhere,' she added. 

Mr Chowdery spearheaded the murder trial against Lane (pictured), who was convicted of killing her baby - even though the infant's body was never found

Mr Chowdery spearheaded the murder trial against Lane (pictured), who was convicted of killing her baby - even though the infant's body was never found

Lane gave birth to daughter Tegan in September 1996 inside this Auburn Hospital room. This photo was presented in evidence at Supreme Court in Sydney

Lane gave birth to daughter Tegan in September 1996 inside this Auburn Hospital room. This photo was presented in evidence at Supreme Court in Sydney

Lane was convicted after it was revealed she had lied about three secret pregnancies, which led to two adoptions, and the disappearance of one child.

The former water polo player fell pregnant three times in four years without letting anyone know, including her partner.

The three-part documentary alleged Lane was sexually assaulted a number of times as a teenager, which explained why she repeatedly fell pregnant.

WHO IS BABY KILLER KELI LANE?  

Keli Lane was almost one of Australia's golden girls – a private schoolgirl and talented sportswoman with hopes of representing her country at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. 

Tall and blonde, she was a familiar and admired figure in the Sydney surfside suburb of Manly before her stunning and tragic fall from grace.

She is the daughter of a well-known surfer, rugby player and retired NSW police inspector, Robert Lane.

Keli Lane is seen arriving at the New South Wales Supreme Court in Sydney in 2010

Keli Lane is seen arriving at the New South Wales Supreme Court in Sydney in 2010

An elite water polo player at national and international level, Lane was a member of the silver-medal winning Australian Junior Women's team at the 1995 World Championships in Quebec, and it was her ambition to represent Australia in water polo at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

It was perhaps this that led to her disposing of her baby - Lane became pregnant, but could not afford to care for child while pursuing her sporting ambitions.

On 12 September 1996, Lane, aged 21, gave birth in secret to Tegan Lee Lane at Auburn Hospital in western Sydney.

Two days after giving birth to the child, Lane and her boyfriend attended a friend's wedding and there was no sign of the baby, nor were people aware of her pregnancy - including her boyfriend.

It was as if the child had never existed.

Lane had a troubled history with pregnancies, which she had either terminated or given away the child soon after birth.

She finally had a fourth child, who now visits Lane in prison.

Lane's downfall came when a Department of Community Services officer became suspicious about the existence of a missing child and an investigation was made into the birth of Tegan.

Lane first told police that Tegan was living with a family in Perth.

She said the father was a man called Andrew Morris, which she later changed to Andrew Norris, and that she had handed him the child in the Auburn Hospital car park.

After a controversial - and traumatic four-month trial - Lane was convicted in December 2010 of lying under oath and of murdering her baby Tegan. 

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It could clear Keli Lane: 163 babies were unaccounted for when Tegan vanished, prosecutors say

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