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Man accused of wife’s murder moved mower ‘weapon’ closer to body, police say

A man accused of murder after his wife was found dead in suspicious circumstances near a ride-on lawnmower has been remanded in custody.

A supplied image obtained on Thursday, October 10, 2024, shows Frances Elizabeth Crawford, 49, who was found at the bottom of a retaining wall at an Upper Lockyer property about 3.40am on July 30th. Robert Crawford, 47, faces a murder charge after his wife Frances Elizabeth Crawford was found was found dead in suspicious circumstances near a lawnmower west of Brisbane. (AAP Image/Supplied by Queensland Police Service) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

A supplied image obtained on Thursday, October 10, 2024, shows Frances Elizabeth Crawford, 49, who was found at the bottom of a retaining wall at an Upper Lockyer property about 3.40am on July 30th. Robert Crawford, 47, faces a murder charge after his wife Frances Elizabeth Crawford was found was found dead in suspicious circumstances near a lawnmower west of Brisbane. (AAP Image/Supplied by Queensland Police Service) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Air force pilot Robert Crawford, 47, was not required to appear in person at Ipswich Magistrates Court, west of Brisbane, on Friday for a brief mention of the charges.

He was arrested on Thursday and later charged with murder and interfering with a corpse, months after his wife Frances Elizabeth Crawford’s body was discovered.

Ms Crawford, 49, was found at the bottom of a retaining wall near the lawnmower at a property west of Brisbane about 3.40am on July 30.

Police had previously said Crawford was at the Upper Lockyer property on the night the mother-of-three died.

Crawford’s solicitor, Andrew McGinness sought a two-week adjournment for the case to be mentioned again on October 25.

Magistrate Sue Ganasan granted the application and ordered Crawford be held in custody.

Under Queensland law, persons charged with murder must apply for bail in the Supreme Court.

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Mr McGinness did not comment as he left court.

In a public appeal last week, homicide detectives asked people who had been in contact with Crawford to come forward with any relevant information.

Detective Superintendent George Marchesini on Thursday said the arrest was the result of the bravery of people who had come forward along with detectives’ tireless efforts.

Ms Crawford’s family paid tribute to the mother-of-three late on Thursday, saying they would rally around her children, who they described as “wonderful young adults who will continue Frances’ legacy”.

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