Queensland police have cast a nationwide and international call to women linked to the husband of a woman who was found dead in suspicious circumstances near a lawnmower.
Police on Friday said Robert Crawford had “connected” with women across Australia and around the world, including some via dating apps, before Frances Crawford’s death in the early hours of 30 July.
Detectives have asked the women to come forward and assist what they have confirmed is a homicide investigation.
The body of Frances Crawford, a 49-year-old psychologist and mother of three, was found near a mower at the bottom of a retaining wall at Upper Lockyer, west of Brisbane, about 3.40am.
Emergency services had been called to a report of an incident involving a ride-on lawnmower.
Police said Robert Crawford called triple zero and was the last person to see his wife alive and was at the property on the night she died. He is assisting police.
Police have not yet identified a suspect.
Queensland police have appealed for public information, including from multiple women they believe have had contact with Robert Crawford.
“We believe there are women who were involved in relationships with Mr Crawford who may have information about Frances that will assist with this investigation,” Det Supt George Marchesini told reporters.
“Mr Crawford may have met these women on dating applications and through his personal and professional life.
“We can say that Mr Crawford has connected with women nationally and internationally.”
Robert Crawford had allegedly met with women in Italy, the US, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Afghanistan, Japan, Malaysia and New Zealand.
He also allegedly connected with women in Western Australia, the ACT, Northern Territory, NSW, Victoria and his own state of Queensland.
“The purpose of today is to appeal for public assistance as investigations continue into the circumstances,” Marchesini said.
“We’re confident that there are people who are out there who have vital information.”
Frances Crawford’s death was initially deemed suspicious.
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“We are now alleging that she was murdered,” Marchesini said.
Police said Robert Crawford had located his wife’s body in the early hours before calling emergency services.
Speaking to reporters, Marchesini was asked
about the lawnmower.
“Any situation like that, police are going to undertake further investigation,” he said.
“There’s been extensive forensic testing … as a result of that we can’t, at this stage, definitively determine how [Frances Crawford] has come to be at the bottom of that retaining wall.”
There were no domestic violence orders in place when Frances Crawford died but police had attended the property in July 2023.
“That was in regards to a call for service in regards to domestic and family violence,” Marchesini said.
Police said Crawford’s family were “looking for answers”.
Source: www.theguardian.com