An RAAF pilot is being questioned by detectives after his wife was reportedly killed in a “suspicious” late-night lawnmower accident – with police previously called to the home, it has been revealed.
Frances Crawford, 49, was found dead at her rural property in Upper Lockyer, south-east Queensland, at 3.40am on Tuesday.
Queensland police revealed on Friday that her husband, Robert Crawford, an Air Force squadron leader, called emergency services to report his wife had been injured by a lawnmower and that paramedics arrived to find her dead.
Detective Superintendent George Marchesini said officers questioned Mr Crawford, who was the only person at the property at the time.
“He is assisting police with investigations to determine what actually happened that morning,” he told reporters on Friday.
“We have not been able to determine the cause of what was discovered at the scene since then. We have been speaking to him since she was found.”
Detective Superintendent Marchesini revealed that police had previously attended the property in July last year and that “some action was taken”.
But he said there were no domestic violence orders in place between the couple.
Robert Crawford (pictured) is assisting with police investigations after his wife was found dead in suspicious circumstances.
Ms Crawford was found dead at her Upper Lockyer property in the early hours of Tuesday.
He said Ms Crawford was last seen alive on Monday afternoon and had attended work earlier that day.
Detective Superintendent Marchesini said police are not “looking for any other individuals” in connection with the investigation, but urged anyone who may have information to come forward as the investigation continues.
“There are a number of things we need to understand better,” he said.
‘If anyone has knowledge of the woman, or knowledge of the family and they’ve heard this information that’s coming out this week, then we’d like to hear from them in terms of what they know.
“This is a tragic incident. Our hearts go out to the family, particularly the woman’s three children, the community, her workplace and also to the first responders who respond to these types of work.”
Daily Mail Australia understands Crawford returned to Australia from an overseas deployment in late July and had been staying at the property for about a week before his wife’s death.
Detective Superintendent Marchesini said the circumstances leading up to Ms Crawford’s death, such as her husband’s work schedule, would form part of his investigation.
The update comes after police declared the case suspicious on Thursday after spending the day searching for evidence at the home.
Throughout the day, 10 police cars, including several forensic units, were seen arriving at the remote property.
Ms Crawford, who grew up in the Toowoomba area, was a respected local psychologist and the community was left in shock after her death.
Speaking to the Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, her parents, Joke and Ben Pilon, said her husband was “devastated” by their daughter’s death and that the couple were living together “happily”.
A lawnmower is seen being towed from Crawford’s property on Tuesday.
A police car is seen leaving the house on Thursday.
Her devastated loved ones paid tribute to the mother-of-three, with her brother, David Pilon, saying she had “a loving heart”.
“She loved Jesus and it is a great comfort to her family and friends to know she is now at peace in heaven,” he told the Toowoomba Chronicle.
Ms. Crawford’s family said her gentle grace and compassionate nature will be missed by all.
“She cared deeply about the people around her and put their needs before her own,” the family said.
‘Although Frances was taken from her family too soon, she touched the lives of many people during her 49 years.’
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 8 km southwest 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.
The investigation continues.
