EXCLUSIVE
Police have announced they are treating the late-night fatal shooting of a mother of three by a lawnmower as suspicious.
Frances Crawford, aged in her 40s, was found dead at her home on Thomas Road in Upper Lockyer, south-east Queensland, at 3.40am on Tuesday.
Her body was found after police were called to the property following reports she had been crushed by a lawnmower.
“Further enquiries have led police to treat the death as suspicious and enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing,” Queensland Police said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.
‘Police are still awaiting the results of forensic tests.’
The bombshell comes as Ms Crawford’s family broke their silence on Thursday morning when police were seen raiding the rural property.
Speaking to the Daily Mail Australia, Crawford’s parents Joke and Ben Pilon said their son-in-law Robert, an RAAF pilot, was devastated by his wife’s death.
They dismissed local reports that police had previously been contacted due to domestic violence matters at the home and there is no suggestion he was in any way involved in Ms Crawford’s death.
“It’s broken,” Ms. Pilon said.
Frances Crawford, aged in her 40s (pictured), was found dead at her home on Thomas Road in Upper Lockyer, near Toowoomba in south-east Queensland, at about 3.40am on Tuesday.
A police vehicle is seen leaving the rural property on Thursday afternoon after the case was deemed suspicious.
Pictured above is one of nine police cars that arrived at the property on Thursday.
“They lived here together and happily. These are rumors.”
The Pilons said their daughter, a psychologist, grew up in the local Toowoomba area and the community was left in shock following her death.
Mrs. Crawford leaves behind her husband, three children, her parents and siblings.
Nine police cars were seen arriving at the property, which is situated in woodland at the end of a 1km-long access road.
The vehicles included two forensic vans, detectives in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, a pickup truck filled with forensic supplies, two patrol vehicles and uniformed officers in an unmarked car.
The Pilons said police have been searching the home, which remains a crime scene, and that Crawford has been asked to temporarily vacate the property amid the investigation.
Mr Crawford is an RAAF cargo pilot and squadron leader (a senior position and the equivalent of a major in the military) operating from the Royal Australian Air Force base at Amberley, about 8km south-west of Ipswich.
Over the past two decades the couple have lived across Australia, including in Sydney, Adelaide and Queensland, while Sqn Ldr Crawford served in numerous roles within the Australian Defence Force.
Husband Robert Crawford (pictured) is a squadron leader (a senior position and the equivalent of a major in the military) operating out of Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley.
Detectives spent Tuesday collecting evidence from the home (including the lawnmower, pictured), which has now been declared a crime scene.
Forensic equipment could be seen in one of the vehicles that arrived.
Tributes have begun to pour in for the respected psychologist, who has been remembered for her “gentle nature” and kindness.
Quality Life Psychology Services said she was “a much-loved and respected member” of its team.
“Frances always took the time to ask about others with kindness and consideration, often responding with humility and thoughtful humor,” the clinic said.
‘Frances was easy to be around and her gentle nature will be deeply missed, but she will long be remembered by her colleagues, friends and clients at Quality Life Psychology Services.
‘Our hearts and prayers are with the Frances family at this tragic time.’