Alleged wife killer ‘tried to access $1 million in life insurance’

The husband of a woman who died in a kayak incident four years ago has been arrested in Brisbane while visiting from Thailand, with police alleging he murdered her and sought access to more than $1 million in life insurance.

Graeme Davidson, 55, had returned to Brisbane and had been visiting family on Sunday when he was arrested and charged with murder, fraud and attempted fraud offences.

In November 2020, Davidson’s 54-year-old wife Jacqueline reportedly fell into the water and drowned while the couple were kayaking on Lake Samsonvale, north-west of Brisbane, police said.

Back to shore, police said witnesses and emergency services performed CPR, but were unable to revive her. She was declared dead at the scene.

Ms Davidson’s death was initially ruled non-suspicious, but during a lengthy coronial investigation, detectives began to probe whether it was a homicide.

Detective Acting Inspector Steve Windsor said detectives changed the course of their investigation about 18 months to two years after her death.

Graeme Davidson has been accused of murdering his wife Jacqueline.Credit: Supplie

“The cause of death was drowning, but it was a case of talking with witnesses and gaining further evidence that the matter appeared suspicious,” Windsor said.

He would not be drawn on a motive, but said alleged fraud was a factor detectives considered. He said Mr Davidson’s fraud charge involved money allegedly being obtained by him.

The accused also allegedly made another claim, however he never received the money, Windsor said.

“I won’t go into the exact figure at this point ... the combined life insurance was in excess of $1 million,” he said.

The body of Jacqueline Davidson is recovered after the kayak incident at Lake Samsonvale in 2020.Credit: Nine News

He said the couple had been living together, but police would allege the relationship had broken down. Online profiles list that Mr Davidson worked as a major in the Australian Army.

Before his arrest, Mr Davidson was in Thailand for years, Windsor said. He said extradition had been considered, but police “chose not to go down that path”. Windsor would not elaborate on why.

“He’s come back for family reasons,” Windsor said, referring to Mr Davidson’s Brisbane visit.

Detectives charged Graeme Davidson with murder, fraud and attempted fraud.Credit: NIne News

Detectives were able to arrest Mr Davidson after consulting several experts in different fields, including in botany and water.

“A lot of these investigations are not straightforward, and obtaining evidence from witnesses, experts ... there was no physical evidence at the time back in November 2020,” he said.

The case was briefly mentioned in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday morning, where the defendant’s lawyer, Matthew Ingram, asked for the matter to be adjourned. Mr Davidson did not appear for the hearing.

He was remanded in custody until the next mention of the case on May 19.

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