Updated Frances Crawford killed by ride on mower reported at 3.40am - Toowoomba * COPS CALL MURDER

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Police video of the actual arrest of the accused this morning in the following article.
It appears to have been mostly shot from inside his AirBNB'ed home he was still living in.

Looks like he might have been sleeping on the sofa.

Some of the audio appears to have been redacted.

'Footage shows moment husband arrested over ride-on mower death of Frances Elizabeth Crawford'​

'October 10, 2024 - 5:54PM'
Screenshot 2024-10-10 at 6.10.10 pm.png
Screenshot 2024-10-10 at 6.10.47 pm.png
 
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BFew said:
Police video of the actual arrest of the accused this morning in the following article.
It appears to have been mostly shot from inside his AirBNB'ed home he was still living in.

Looks like he might have been sleeping on the sofa.

Some of the audio appears to have been redacted.

'Footage shows moment husband arrested over ride-on mower death of Frances Elizabeth Crawford'​

'October 10, 2024 - 5:54PM'
View attachment 2137303
View attachment 2137304
Click to expand...

It's interesting it was an all woman team to make that arrest.
 

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BFew said:
Charges have been laid
  • murder
  • interfering with a corpse
www.abc.net.au

Husband of Queensland psychologist who died in apparent ride-on lawnmower incident charged with murder

Police have charged the husband of Frances Crawford with murder.
www.abc.net.au www.abc.net.au
'Police have charged the husband of Frances Crawford, who died in a ride-on lawnmower incident in July, with murder and interfering with a corpse. '
Click to expand...
Murdered (elswhere?) and he staged the accident by driving the lawnmower over the wall to land on her perfectly arranged corpse?
 
GrayRanga said:
Murdered (elswhere?) and he staged the accident by driving the lawnmower over the wall to land on her perfectly arranged corpse?
Click to expand...
Seems like it. Probably killed inside the house.

The 3:40am phone call always seemed ridiculous, but I suppose he was aware that if he waited until say 10am (as a more reasonable mowing time), then the stage of rigor wouldn't fit?

The bruising already wouldn't be consistent with what would be expected, because she wouldn't bruise if already dead.
 
The accused did not front up to court today.
Next court mention in 2 weeks.

'Air force pilot Robert Crawford fronts court charged with murder of wife Frances after ride-on mower death'​

'October 11, 2024 - 11:24AM​

...​

Mr Crawford is facing charges of murder and misconduct with a corpse by interfering.

During the brief first mention on Friday, solicitor Andrew McGinness requested the matter be adjourned to October 25 for a further mention.

He requested his client’s appearance be excused.

Mr Crawford will remain in custody until his next appearance, as he is unable to apply for bail on murder charges in the Magistrates Court.

Mr McGinness did not answer questions when he left court or say if his client would contest the charges.
...'
 
www.abc.net.au

Mother-of-three Frances Crawford remembered as 'selfless' as husband's murder charge heard in court

The friends of Lockyer Valley woman Frances Crawford, who was allegedly murdered by her husband, have remembered her as a "heartfelt" person who "would do anything for anybody".
www.abc.net.au www.abc.net.au
'Police will allege he moved Ms Crawford's body as part of the interfering with a corpse charge, according to court documents.'

'moved his wife’s body after she was killed, police have alleged in court documents.'
 
BFew said:
Detective Superintendent Marchesini revealed that police had previously attended the property in July last year and there was 'some action that was taken'.

But he said there were no current domestic violence orders in place between the couple.
Click to expand...
Unsurprisingly, the July 2023 DV incident resulted in an unsuccessful attempt by Frances Crawford to get a DVO against her husband. She probably got a hefty legal bill for that too.

Evidence from the marriage guidance counsellor might be useful in any murder trial that eventuates from the current charges.

www.dailymail.co.uk

New details emerge after RAAF pilot accused of murdering his wife

Robert Crawford, 47, allegedly killed his wife Frances, 49, at their rural property in Upper Lockyer, south-east Queensland , at 3.40am on July 30.
www.dailymail.co.uk www.dailymail.co.uk

'How an 'incident' one year before RAAF pilot allegedly 'staged his wife Frances Crawford's murder to look like a lawn-mower accident' could be key to the prosecution's case'​

'By Tita Smith In Brisbane For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 00:49 AEDT, 13 October 2024 | Updated: 07:58 AEDT, 14 October 2024
...
A RAAF pilot accused of murdering his wife had previously undergone marriage counselling after she became aware of his infidelity, police will allege.
....
Investigators shortly after her death revealed they will allege officers had attended an incident at the property in July last year.

Police will allege the incident prompted Ms Crawford to apply for an interim protection order while she sought an Domestic Violence Order (DVO).

However, the AVO was denied in court and the interim order overturned, police will allege.

Police will also allege that following that incident the couple had engaged the services of a marriage counsellor.
...'
 
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BFew said:
Investigators shortly after her death revealed they will allege officers had attended an incident at the property in July last year.

Police will allege the incident prompted Ms Crawford to apply for an interim protection order while she sought an Domestic Violence Order (DVO).

However, the AVO was denied in court and the interim order overturned, police will allege.

Police will also allege that following that incident the couple had engaged the services of a marriage counsellor.
...'
Click to expand...

I wonder why the AVO was denied and the interim order overturned? He either fought it and succeeded or she withdrew, if the fact that they went saw a marriage guidance counsellor might suggest the latter.
 
Earls Smother said:
Seems like it. Probably killed inside the house.

The 3:40am phone call always seemed ridiculous, but I suppose he was aware that if he waited until say 10am (as a more reasonable mowing time), then the stage of rigor wouldn't fit?

The bruising already wouldn't be consistent with what would be expected, because she wouldn't bruise if already dead.
Click to expand...
That makes sense. He seems to be intelligent, so if he planned the ‘accident’ then he would have worked out the timing to form a more realistic timeframe for being on/near the ride-on mower. So I think that points to some sort of random argument which escalated and ended in her death, then a delay while he figured out how to cover it up?
 
This case was mentioned in court this morning.

Police Prosecution preparation of the brief of evidence preparation appears to be going to be delayed due to the arresting officers "leave" in Dec/Jan.

'Robert John Crawford fronts court charged with wife Frances Crawford’s murder after ride-on mower incident'​

'October 25, 2024 - 9:55AM
...
His matter remains before Ipswich Magistrates Court, with lawyer Andrew McGuinness asking for a two-week adjournment following the first mention on October 11.

On Friday, lawyer Daniel Boddice appeared on Mr McGuinness’ behalf and asked for a further adjournment until November 1.

The court was told police were seeking a date in February next year for the brief of evidence to be prepared.

“The arresting officer is on leave in December and January,” a police prosecutor told the court.

“I’ve made inquiries as to whether there are other officers who can compile it while the officer is on leave.”

Mr Boddice said there were “concerns” about the delay in the matter which would be further raised by Mr McGuinness at the next appearance.

The court was told this could include whether there were any “complicating” features on the gathering of evidence, which would impact how long the matter would take.

Mr Crawford’s appearance was excused on the next occasion.

He remains in custody on remand.
...'
 

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Zidane98 said:
Pilots haven't had a good run in the justice system recently in Australia.
Click to expand...
They certainly haven’t - but I guess / hope statistically these are in the minority.

As it’s become that we live in a disposable environment, sadly I think that’s included the easy disposability of human life.

So many seem to think it’s the way to deal with anyone who questions you or who objects to your behaviour…. something that needs to be reigned in by our law makers IMO if we have any hope for the safety & security of our future.
 
shorsky said:
They certainly haven’t - but I guess / hope statistically these are in the minority.

As it’s become that we live in a disposable environment, sadly I think that’s included the easy disposability of human life.

So many seem to think it’s the way to deal with anyone who questions you or who objects to your behaviour…. something that needs to be reigned in by our law makers IMO if we have any hope for the safety & security of our future.
Click to expand...
Stop being a Drama Queen

The ABS tracks statistics related to homicides

https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/27-years-recorded-crime-victims-data#homicide-and-related-offences

These are Homicide rates, not murder rates

The Murder rates (and Homicide rate) per head of population have been in continued decline since WWII

I would have thought that was common knowledge of the true crime aficionados in the BF Crime Forum
 

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Updated Frances Crawford killed by ride on mower reported at 3.40am - Toowoomba * COPS CALL MURDER

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