World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Former RAAF pilot denies murdering wife in Queensland trial
Former RAAF pilot Robert John Crawford has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife, Frances, in Queensland.
She was found dead beside a ride-on mower at their rural property in Upper Lockyer, west of Toowoomba, in July 2024.
Prosecutor Chris Cook told a Brisbane jury that Crawford staged the scene to make her death look accidental.
The prosecution says the couple’s relationship was breaking down and that Crawford had been allowed back into their home on a trial basis after they separated.
It alleges he wanted to avoid dividing their home and his superannuation in a divorce, and stood to benefit financially from her death.
The allegations have not been proven, and Crawford denies the murder charge.
The jury is due to visit the property, and the trial is expected to hear from up to 47 witnesses over three weeks.
Robert John Crawford pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife, Frances Elizabeth Crawford, a Brisbane court heard on 26 October 2026.
Prosecutors allege he killed her at their Upper Lockyer property in July 2024 and staged her death to look like an accident.
The prosecution says Crawford was motivated by the prospect of financial losses in a divorce, including dividing his superannuation and losing the house.
Prosecutors also told the jury the couple’s relationship had broken down and Crawford had been unfaithful.
The trial is expected to hear from up to 47 witnesses over three weeks.
- Who
- Robert John Crawford, a former Royal Australian Air Force pilot, is accused of murdering his wife, Frances Elizabeth Crawford.
- What
- He pleaded not guilty to murder. Prosecutors allege he killed his wife and staged her death to appear accidental.
- When
- Frances Crawford died on 29 July 2024; Crawford pleaded not guilty on 26 October 2026.
- Where
- Their rural property at Upper Lockyer, west of Toowoomba.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege he wanted to avoid financial losses in a divorce, including splitting his superannuation and losing the house.
Prosecution
Robert John Crawford
Alleged motive
Prosecution
Prosecutors say Crawford killed his wife to avoid financial losses in a divorce.
Robert John Crawford
Crawford pleaded not guilty to murder; his defence had not yet delivered an opening statement.
Death circumstances
Prosecution
Prosecutors allege Crawford caused his wife’s death by strangulation or blunt-force trauma and staged it to look accidental.
Robert John Crawford
Crawford denies the murder charge; the sources give no further defence account.
Crawford sent his wife a message saying he would not agree to leave his house permanently.
Crawford was allowed back into the house on a three-month trial period, the court heard.
Frances Crawford died at the couple’s Upper Lockyer property.
Crawford pleaded not guilty to one count of murder in the Supreme Court.
- Accused
- Robert John Crawford; articles differ on his age, giving 48 and 49.
- Victim
- Frances Elizabeth Crawford.
- Alleged crime date
- 29 July 2024.
- Property
- Upper Lockyer, west of Toowoomba.
- Superannuation
- $1.7 million, according to the SMH.
- Expected trial witnesses
- Up to 47.
5 sources
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What people are saying
Robert Crawford loves money … loved it so much that he killed for it.
He made out to be a man with good Christian values
Mr Crawford was interested in other women and not committed to his marriage
This is the house he had built, a house that he was so proud of, a house that he loved, a property which had a value up to $2.6 million