Pilot Robert John Crawford faces murder trial over wife's lawnmower death

Robert John Crawford, a senior pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force, has gone on trial accused of murdering his wife Frances Crawford at their property west of Brisbane. The Daily Mail reported that prosecutors allege Crawford strangled his wife on July 30, 2024, before staging a lawnmower crash to cover up the crime. [1]

The court heard that Frances Crawford was planning to divorce her husband following his serial infidelities. According to the Daily Mail, she was due to receive a favourable financial settlement if she proceeded with the separation. [1]

Prosecutors told the jury that the 49-year-old accused faced losing the couple's bush block home, which is valued at 2 million dollars. The Daily Mail reported that Crawford also risked losing his military superannuation payout if the marriage ended. [1]