Krystal Marshall’s body ‘too damaged’ to determine cause of death, as ex-wife’s bid for bail reviewed

Krystal Marshall was already dead by the time police tried to check on her. The next day, her ex-wife and her new lover allegedly lit her remains on fire, a court has heard.

Krystal Marshall, 38, was found dead after an Aldinga Beach house fire.

An Aldinga Beach mother lay dead in her bedroom as police tried to conduct a welfare check on her – the morning before her ex-wife and her new lover lit her remains on fire, a court has heard.

On Monday, Anastasia Marshall appeared via video link from custody in the South Australian Supreme Court where she heard prosecutors would be appealing a Magistrate’s decision to grant her home detention bail.

The 29-year-old has been charged over the death of her ex-partner Krystal Marshall, who was found dead inside her Aldinga Beach home following a house fire in October last year.

Ms Marshall is yet to formally enter pleas to one count each of murder, arson and destroying human remains to pervert the course of justice.

During her bail review, prosecutors told Justice Tim Stanley that Krystal’s cause of death would likely remain a mystery, but the 38-year-old had died before a fire was deliberately lit in her home.

“The deceased’s remains were located inside the house, in her bedroom, face down on her bed with her legs on the ground,” the prosecutor said.

“Due to the fire, the cause of death cannot be determined, however it can be determined that the deceased had passed away prior to the fire being lit. That is due to the absence of smoke and other relevant findings in the medical examination of the deceased.

Anastasia Marshall allegedly murdered her ex-wife Krystal. Picture: Matt Loxton

The prosecutor also alleged that the day after Krystal’s alleged murder, SA Police officers attended the home to conduct a welfare check after she failed to attend work.

She said no one answered when they knocked on the door, but the officers could see “timber” lying in the hallway outside of the room where Krystal’s dead body was kept.

Later that evening, CCTV captured smoke coming from the home.

“Police attended the premises as a result of a welfare check because the deceased had not attended work,” she said.

“No one opened the door, but police saw a box containing timber in the hallway outside of the deceased’s bedroom that could be seen from the front of the premises.

“Following this, from the CCTV, there are further movements at the premises.

Krystal was allegedly killed by her ex-wife and her new lover, who were both living at her home. Picture: DianaM Photography

Police outside a home in Aldinga Beach, where Krystal Marshall was found dead on Friday, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. Picture: Matt Loxton

“At 3:02pm, the defendant has been captured on CCTV before leaving (to pick someone up). The CCTV then records smoke from the house, so in the prosecution case, the fire has been lit at that point in time.”

A 48-year-old male co-accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons and was living at the address, has also been charged, with police alleging that he and Anastasia both played a role in Krystal’s death after he was asked to leave the home.

Prosecutors on Monday further alleged Ms Marshall was in a relationship with the man, and the motive to murder Krystal was to remain living at the home.

Nick Vadasz, for Ms Marshall, told the court his client “strongly denies” all allegations, but did admit to being present in the home at the time of the murder.

Justice Stanley adjourned the bail review after raising concerns granting Ms Marshall bail to her proposed address would leave witnesses at risk.

Ms Marshall will return to court next week.