Wife allegedly murdered by ex-RAAF pilot husband could have fallen from mower, court told

A court has been told of crucial forensic evidence in the case of a former RAAF pilot charged with the murder of his wife, including a possible scenario of her “falling” from their ride-on mower.

Robert John Crawford did not comment to waiting media as he entered Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday for the first day of his committal hearing.

Mr Crawford, 47, is charged with the murder of his wife Frances at their Upper Lockyer property, west of Brisbane, in July 2024.

Much of Wednesday’s hearing was taken up by forensic evidence concerning Frances’ autopsy, including how she had multiple fractures and abrasions after she was found at the base of a retaining wall at the property, near a ride-on mower.

The Crown alleges Mr Crawford flew into a “murderous rage” and fatally strangled his wife, following an argument between the pair on the night of July 29.

It is further alleged he then manipulated the property to appear Frances had died by “misadventure” while outside on their mower, before dialling triple-0.

But Mr Crawford’s defence team have previously noted an autopsy report does not rule out a scenario that Ms Crawford fell from the mower.

Mr Crawford is contesting charges of murder and misconduct with a corpse.

Forensic pathologist Dr Andrej Kedziora gave evidence of his examination of Frances’ body.

The court was told an autopsy was carried out at the end of July 2024 but a report was only made available in February this year.

During cross-examination, Dr Kedziora said the delay was due to a number of tests, including toxicology to radiology, needing to occur.

He confirmed he attended the crime scene, arriving after the lawnmower and Ms Crawford’s body were removed.

A drop of blood was found on one of the rocks of the retaining wall, the court was told.

Dr Kedziora said it was “impossible” to determine how much blood had gone into the ground – adding he was shown two areas of blood staining on the grass.

“I’m not able to determine the amount of blood lost,” Dr Kedziora said.

“We know there is blood on the lawn, so Ms Crawford has lost blood. But again, I cannot determine how much.”

In his report, he noted Frances had a “faint brown discolouration” on her right lower limb, which likely indicated a “healing” abrasion.

Dr Kedziora said Frances had a 16cm “curvilinear” laceration on her scalp which had penetrated her skin down to her skull and on further analysis, he found a piece of bone was missing from the scalp.

The court was told some injuries could be explained using a scenario of Ms Crawford reversing the ride-on mower at night.

Dr Kedziora said an impact on the scalp could have caused her laceration if she had fallen from the mower in this scenario.

Some torso injuries could have been sustained during a fall, he said.

“I’m simply trying to think about the fall, and some high objects along the way.

“Even if the body falls from a height, the rib fractures could easily be sustained from falling on the ground or colliding with the retaining wall.”

Defence barrister Saul Holt KC suggested it could also have been caused by the weight of the lawnmower, to which Dr Kedziora agreed.

“There was a very conspicuous abrasion or graze under the chin … in this scenario, possibly some part of the lawnmower, like the steering wheel, could have caused this,” he said.

“Likely, if there was rubbing, or multiple instances of rubbing or scraping.”

Dr Kedziora said it was possible other abrasions were caused by Ms Crawford trying to free herself from under the mower, or that she was allegedly strangled or placed in a headlock.

“They can be caused by anything that grazes the skin,” he said.

“Without scene reconstruction, looking at the body and lawnmower parts, I am unable to rule it in or out.

“I find it a bit unusual, or atypical, but don’t rule it out.”

Dr Kedziora said the number of head and neck injuries made him want to “correlate” what occurred, but could not do it without examining the structure of the lawnmower as well as the scene of Ms Crawford’s death.

The committal will continue on Thursday.