Police suspected lawnmower death of RAAF pilot’s wife was staged, jury told

Police told the jury at Robert John Crawford’s murder trial that officers suspected early on that the apparent lawnmower crash which killed his wife, Frances, may have been staged. Crawford denies strangling her at their property west of Brisbane in July 2024; the case centres on whether she died in a crash or was murdered.

A forensic crash officer said police believed the ride-on mower had reversed over a retaining wall with its headlights off. Tests found it could travel at just under 4 km/h in reverse, and its steering wheel was not deformed; an issue with a seat safety switch was also noted. The defence argues Frances died from crushing injuries or traumatic asphyxia while moving the mower away from sprinklers, while prosecutors say Crawford faced financial losses in the couple’s separation.