New details in Erica Tomkinson’s murder case revealed on 20th anniversary

Erica Tomkinson’s body was found in a forest lagoon at a time when domestic violence murders were rarely talked about. Now 20 years on from her death, her family has revealed new details about the crime that rocked a country town.

The family of Glenwood murder victim Erica Tomkinson has revealed new details about the moments leading to the devastating day the discovery of her body rocked the country town 20 years ago.

It comes as they lament the loss not only of their sister, daughter, mother and friend but also as chillingly similar murders or close calls continue to make headlines across Queensland.

On the morning of February 4, 2002, 41-year-old Erica, affectionately known as Ricki, was murdered at the hands of her de facto partner, Russell Stewart Henry Crump.

Speaking to the Gympie Times this month, as the 20-year anniversary was marked, Erica’s sister, Angie Bannister, said the family did not realise something was wrong until Erica’s son was killed in a tragic car accident on February 8, that year. He was just 23 years old.

Ms Bannister said no one was able to get into contact with Erica at the time, which raised the alarm about her disappearance.

Two days later on February 10, her family’s worst fears were confirmed while police searched a lagoon in Toolara State Forest near Gympie.

Erica’s body had been there for almost a week, tied to concrete bricks to weigh her body down.

She had suffered two head injuries and six stab wounds in her abdomen.

Ms Bannister described the discovery as “a nightmare”.

“I was devastated,” she said.

“We had suspected something had happened, but we weren’t entirely sure what.

“You hear of these things happening to other families but you never think it will happen to your own family.”

Crump was later taken into custody and charged with murder.

He pleaded not guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court, but after a 13-day trial, was convicted of murder on July 31, 2003.

In Supreme Court documents obtained by the Gympie Times, the court heard Crump had beaten Erica to death.

He then took her body to the lagoon in Toolara State Forest, and using a boat he later sold to avoid being caught, dumped her body into the water with the concrete bricks attached.

The court documents also stated Crump had been physically abusive to Erica in the past, referencing an account from a witness who reportedly stated she had previously seen marks on Erica’s body.

Crump had reportedly told the witness Erica “shouldn’t make me angry”.

“We weren’t fully aware of what was going on, but, we had our suspicions over the years,” Ms Bannister said.

She described her sister as “quite a bubbly person” who was “easy going”.

“She had numerous jobs, but whatever she was doing, she was a hard worker,” she said.

Erica had four sisters including Ms Bannister, all of whom she shared a close bond with despite living in separate areas as adults.

February marks two decades since Erica’s brutal murder but time hasn’t healed.

“It doesn’t matter how much time goes by … I can’t see her anymore.”

Every year on February 4, she takes flowers to Erica’s grave.

Erica Tomkinson (pictured) was murdered at the hands of her partner in 2002. Photo: Supplied.

Erica’s murder shocked the community, but in the 20 years since, domestic violence causing death has increasingly made headlines.

“It’s very frustrating, because I just think there’s a lot to be said for the justice system when it comes to this type of thing,” Miss Bannister said.

“When you continue to see it on the news, on a weekly basis, your heart goes out to those families.”

Crump was sentenced to life in prison after his trial, but that did not deter him from attempting to get parole, which eventually proved successful.

A Justice Media spokesperson told the Gympie Times in 2018 Crump had been released on parole that same year.

Originally published as New details in Erica Tomkinson’s murder case revealed on 20th anniversary