Husband arrested in ride-on mower death of Frances Elizabeth Crawford
Written by admin on October 10, 2024
New footage has captured the moment the husband of a woman found dead in an apparent ride-on mower incident was arrested.
Upper Lockyer woman Frances Elizabeth Crawford was found dead on her property about 3.40am on July 30.
Police arrested 47-year-old air force pilot Robert Crawford in connection with the investigation into her death on Thursday morning.
Mr Crawford can be seen sitting on a couch in his home as police read him his rights.
“You are under arrest in relation to the murder … so if I can get you to stand up please,” an officer can be heard saying in video footage released by Queensland Police.
Mr Crawford then stands up before being handcuffed and walked out of the property barefoot.
Police are expected to speak to the media later on Thursday.
Investigations are ongoing.
Emergency services were called to a property in the Upper Lockyer, near Toowoomba, in the early hours of July 30.
The body of the 49-year-old psychologist, Ms Crawford, was found near a ride-on mower, at the foot of a retaining wall in the backyard of the property.
Her husband made the triple-zero call, was assisting police in their investigation and as of Sunday had not been publicly named as a suspect.
But last week police released an unusual call for information.
Police alleged Mr Crawford – through dating apps, and his personal and professional life – had connected with women in Italy, United States of America, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Afghanistan, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and every state in Australia except South Australia and Tasmania.
“We are particularly interested in speaking with people who knew of Frances or Robert Crawford and their personal circumstances, including their marriage,” Superintendent George Marchesini said last week.
In announcing the arrest on Thursday, police say “Detectives can confirm a number of people have provided information since our last public appeal and thank those people for their bravery in coming forward.”
Ms Crawford has three children, and worked as a psychologist in nearby Toowoomba.
Mr Crawford is a squadron leader with the Royal Australian Air Force, based near Ipswich.
