‘Love rat’ ex-RAAF pilot denies killing wife to dodge divorce
Former RAAF pilot Robert John Crawford is on trial for the murder of his wife, Frances Elizabeth Crawford, in Queensland. Prosecutors allege he staged her death to look like a lawnmower accident to escape their failing marriage.
Why it matters
The case highlights issues of domestic violence and the legal complexities of proving staged accidents in criminal homicide trials.
- 9.22am . First published at 4.55am
shares Share article A woman found dead in her pyjamas next to a ride-on mower was an elaborately staged scene to cover up her strangulation by her husband, a jury has been told.
Former RAAF pilot Robert John Crawford, 49, pleaded not guilty on Monday to murdering his wife Frances Elizabeth Crawford at Upper Lockyer, west of Toowoomba on July 29, 2024.
Frances Elizabeth Crawford, 49, was found dead near a ride-on lawnmower at the bottom of a retaining wall on their sprawling rural property west of Toowoomba. Supplied
Jurors were shown graphic photos of Mrs Crawford in situ with the mower at the bottom of a stone retaining wall on the couple's sprawling rural property on Monday afternoon.
Prosecutor Chris Cook pointed to evidence of extensive bruising around Mrs Crawford's neck area and blood coming from her nose.
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Former RAAF pilot who allegedly murdered wife was ‘love rat’ and ‘master manipulator’, jury hears
Former RAAF pilot Robert Crawford was living 'double life' before murdering his wife to avoid losing assets, court hears
‘Love rat’ RAAF pilot loved women, money so much he killed his wife over it, court hears
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