Former RAAF pilot denies murdering wife as prosecution alleges staged accident

A former Royal Australian Air Force pilot has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife, with prosecutors alleging he staged the circumstances of her death to suggest an accident. Robert John Crawford, 49, entered the plea on Monday, 26 October, as the case came before a jury in the Brisbane supreme court.

Frances Elizabeth Crawford died at Upper Lockyer on 29 July 2024. Her body was discovered beside a ride-on lawnmower at the foot of a retaining wall on the couple’s extensive rural property, west of Toowoomba. Prosecutor Chris Cook alleged that her husband killed her against the backdrop of a prolonged breakdown in their relationship.

Cook told jurors that Crawford subsequently undertook a sustained effort to present the death as accidental. Justice Lincoln Crowley explained that the prosecution would argue Frances Crawford had died as a result of either strangulation or blunt-force trauma. Those allegations form part of the case the prosecution will put before the jury during the trial.

The prosecution alleged that financial concerns provided a motive for the killing. Jurors heard that the marriage was close to ending and that Crawford faced losses through a divorce settlement. According to the prosecution, he wanted to keep the couple’s home and avoid dividing his superannuation with his wife.

Cook also alleged that Crawford had maintained a double life, presenting himself as someone with strong Christian values while behaving differently. He described the accused as a “love rat” and alleged that he was not committed to the marriage. Four women with whom Crawford allegedly had affairs are expected to give evidence.

The jury heard that Frances Crawford had been torn between ending the marriage and allowing her husband an opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to her and their children. She had drawn up detailed boundaries for him, including conduct she regarded as grounds for divorce. The court was told those conditions covered sexual or emotional infidelity, pornography and masturbation.

Jurors are scheduled to visit the property on Wednesday to view the location of the alleged killing. Crowley told them that seeing the site would assist their understanding of the evidence presented in court.

The trial is expected to run for the next three weeks and could hear evidence from as many as 47 witnesses. Crawford’s defence barrister had yet to deliver an opening statement.