Samantha Fraser Cowes murder tragedy: Friends say mum let down by system
AUTHORITIES had previously warned Samantha Fraser’s ex-husband — a person of interest in the murder of the Cowes mum — not to enter Phillip Island. Ms Fraser was constantly “looking over her shoulder” in her hometown, was afraid of going to local cafes, a friend said.
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AUTHORITIES had previously warned Samantha Fraser’s ex-husband — a person of interest in the murder of the Cowes mum — not to enter Phillip Island.
Welfare workers also wanted her to relocate to a refuge home as she feared she was unable to be protected, it can be revealed.
Sources close to Ms Fraser told the Herald Sun her estranged husband, Adrian Basham, later re-entered her life and she had begged police for help.
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A friend said Ms Fraser was constantly “looking over her shoulder” in her hometown, was afraid of going to local cafes and had been forced to upgrade her home security.
On Friday, lawyers for Mr Basham had serious charges against him involving Ms Fraser suppressed. Her body was found in the garage of her home last week. Police initially believed her death was a suicide.
Ms Fraser, 38, sought help from a domestic violence service to leave the relationship early last year while her husband was interstate. They urged her to leave Phillip Island and enter a refuge but Ms Fraser did not want to disrupt her three children’s schooling.
Instead, she went to drastic lengths to ensure her safety, including getting her parents to move in and rarely going out in public. “They made the necessary changes to make the house as safe as possible,” the friend said.
“I remember Sam telling me they reprogrammed the code to the garage door … she had all the locks changed back then, too.
“She was sure (Mr Basham) had planted cameras around the house.
“She was doing everything she could to keep her and her children safe. It had been going on for some time.”
Ms Fraser began to feel safer when authorities warned Mr Basham not to enter Phillip Island.
“Sam felt a slight break,” said the friend. “We could go to coffee again and Sam felt a little safer driving to and from work.”
But later, when Mr Basham began going to Phillip Island again, Ms Fraser allegedly feared what might happen.
He began visiting Phillip Island again just months before her body was found.
The friend said Ms Fraser spent the last year of her life trying to protect herself and her children and she did not feel supported by police.
“Sam was upset with San Remo police and the fact that they did not seem to believe her,” the friend said.
“She told me that when she went in to make a report, they made her feel like she was overreacting.
“She walked out upset. She was so brave for going to the police yet she felt they were not supportive.
“This is something that needs to change.”
Heartbroken friends and family of Ms Fraser believe the system failed her.
“Sam felt Adrian had no eyes on him and was not made accountable and that police didn’t seem to believe her,” the friend said.
“He should have been monitored.
“She was the one attending appointments with safety workers.
“She was the one looking over her shoulder all the time and making changes at her home, all the while trying to keep the kids’ lives normal.
“The police and (the) system let her down.”
Homicide squad detectives are continuing to investigate her murder.