EXCLUSIVE
A RAAF pilot accused of murdering his wife had previously received marriage counseling after she became aware of his infidelity, police will allege.
Robert Crawford, 47, allegedly killed his wife Frances, 49, and moved her body to make her death appear to be a lawnmower accident at their rural property in Upper Lockyer, southeast Queensland, at 3 :40 am on July 30.
Investigators shortly after his death revealed they will allege officers attended an incident at the property in July last year.
Police will allege the incident led to Ms Crawford applying for an interim restraining order while she applied for an Arrested Violence Order (AVO).
However, the AVO was denied in court and the interim order quashed, the police will allege.
Police will also allege that after that incident the couple engaged the services of a marriage counselor.
Crawford was arrested on Thursday after police made a public call last week for people to come forward as they revealed he had allegedly been messaging women on dating apps around the world and in Australia.
Frances Crawford, 49, was found dead at her Upper Lockyer property in the early hours of July 30.
Rob Crawford, 47, allegedly murdered his wife and staged it to look like a lawnmower accident.
Police will allege he connected with women in countries including the United States, Italy, Papua New Guinea, Afghanistan, Guam, Japan, New Zealand and all Australian states and territories except South Australia and Tasmania.
He has been charged with one count of murder (crime of domestic violence) and misconduct with a dead body by interference.
Crawford was a RAAF squadron leader, operating from the Royal Australian Air Force base at Amberley, about 8 kilometers south-west of Ipswich.
Over the past two decades, the family moved to various cities around the country, including Sydney and Adelaide, while he pursued his career in the military.
Around 2015, the family returned to the Toowoomba region, where Ms Crawford grew up, as her husband was relocated to the Amberley base.
Crawford featured prominently in RAAF magazines and media articles, showing him traveling around the world in the line of service.
Police will allege they were called to the couple’s Upper Lockyer home (pictured) in July 2023.
Crawford is pictured presenting an award at an ADF event
In 2014, he was photographed shaking hands with a United States Air Force lieutenant general at a training event in Missouri.
According to the article, Crawford chaired a portion of the event and spoke with his American counterparts about “breaking down barriers” and the importance of greater collaboration between allies during technical systems acquisition and testing programs.
“The AATTC annual symposium is an excellent forum to network with our international partners in tactical airlift and learn from each other,” Crawford said.
Another article from May last year shows Crawford posing alongside young pilots while supervising a training exercise in northern Queensland.
‘Through the exercises we want to improve the scenario and make it increasingly difficult. They’ve done very well,” Crawford told the Townsville Bulletin at the time.
Meanwhile, as Crawford rose through the ranks of the Defense Forces, Ms Crawford served the community as a psychologist, providing therapy for adults, adolescents and children.
According to his biography on Toowoomba’s Quality Life Psychology Services website, he had “extensive experience” working with a variety of mental health issues.
Her special interests included anxiety, depression, stress, panic, anger, grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, chronic pain, parenting, behavioral protective and assertiveness.
A yearbook profile of Ms Crawford during her youth has been shared online as tributes flow in for the beloved mother of three.
Crawford is pictured being arrested by detectives on Thursday.
Her death has shocked her loved ones and the Toowoomba region, where she has been remembered as a loving mother, a beloved daughter, a sister and friend, a dedicated health professional and a valued member of her church and community.
One woman described her as a “bright light” and “one of the most caring women I have ever met”, while another tribute said she was a “beautiful, kind and caring soul”.
A former schoolmate shared a touching blurb about Ms. Crawford, then Frances Pilon, that had been written in a high school yearbook.
In the article, she was described as “calm” and admired among her peers for her “poise.”
“Franny” can usually be found at lunch, with her head buried in a science book, thinking about the next exam or in the Home Economics room,” the blurb reads.
Crawford has been taken into custody. His matter is due to appear at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on October 25.
A GoFundMe was launched to help her three adult children. To donate, click here.
