‘Premature’: Fears of fresh delay in case against air force pilot charged with wife’s murder raised in court

A court has been told of a possible delay in the case against an air force pilot charged with his wife’s murder following a ride-on mower “accident”.

A prosecutor has raised concerns the case against an air force pilot accused of murdering his wife and making it look like a ride-on mower “accident” may not face a committal hearing this year.

RAAF pilot Robert John Crawford is in custody on remand accused of the murder of his wife Frances Elizabeth Crawford at their Upper Lockyer property in Queensland in July last year.

Emergency services found the body of Ms Crawford, 49, at the base of her property’s retaining wall about 3.40am on July 30, 2024, near a ride-on mower.

Mr Crawford, 46, is charged with his wife’s murder, with police alleging he made her death look like an “accident”.

Robert John Crawford is charged with the murder of his wife after she was found dead at the couple’s Upper Lockyer property in July 2024. Picture: Supplied

Ms Crawford’s death was allegedly made to look like a ride-on mower accident. Picture: Supplied

He is also facing a single charge of misconduct with a corpse, with police further alleging in court documents that Mr Crawford moved his wife’s body “without lawful jurisdiction or excuse”.

During a brief mention on Wednesday, Crown prosecutor Chris Cook sought dates for a directions and committal hearing to be listed in the coming months.

In Queensland, a directions hearing is a procedural matter that determines timelines for a case and the actions required by the parties.

Mr Cook told Ipswich Magistrates Court that discussions were taking place about what experts would be subject to cross-examination at a future committal hearing.

“Why would I take up a directions hearing and committal hearing date, and waste days, until the material is otherwise provided?” magistrate Jason Schubert asked.

Police allege Ms Crawford was murdered and are looking into her husband’s messages with women on dating apps. Picture: Supplied / Queensland Police

“It seems premature for me to be giving dates out.

“Why the extensive delay? The application to cross-examine is well outside the practice direction timeframe.”

Mr Cook replied it was a large case and the brief was made available in February.

“Mr Crawford is applying for bail in a few weeks on a serious charge of murder,” he said.

“My fear is if it is adjourned for another month, we may not get a committal hearing for this year.”

Mr Schubert said defence applications could be filed by July in time for a future directions hearing.

The matter was adjourned to April 30 for a further review and a directions hearing was set down for August 22.

No dates were allocated for a committal hearing.

In addition to his next court date, Mr Crawford, who is in custody on remand, has lodged a fresh bail application due to be heard before Brisbane Supreme Court on April 4.

Forensic testing and analysis of how Ms Crawford ended up in that location remain under investigation. Picture: Supplied / Queensland Police

Police last year confirmed Mr Crawford phoned triple-0 to report his wife’s death and was initially assisting with inquiries.

In a further appeal for information, police asked for public assistance regarding the couple’s personal circumstances and marriage, revealing they considered Ms Crawford’s death “suspicious”.

Detectives alleged Mr Crawford had connected with women all over the world and in every Australian state except South Australia and Tasmania through dating apps and in his “personal and professional life”.

Overseas, he was alleged to have connected with women across Italy, the US, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Afghanistan, Japan, Malaysia and New Zealand.

Mr Crawford was then arrested on October 10.

In a statement, Ms Crawford’s family said her death had been “devastating to us all, even more so given the circumstances”.

“Frances Crawford will be remembered as a loving mother, beloved daughter, sister and friend and dedicated health professional and valued member of her church and community,” the family said.

“Frances’s passing will profoundly affect each of us for the rest of our lives but none more so than her three beautiful children.

“They are wonderful young adults who will continue Frances’s legacy.

“They have been dealt a very difficult blow indeed as they each embark on their own journeys; however, with the support of family and good people around them, they will not be defined by this or what has gone before.”

Originally published as ‘Premature’: Fears of fresh delay in case against air force pilot charged with wife’s murder raised in court