Graeme Davidson charged with murder four years after wife’s kayak death at Lake Samsonvale

Police have revealed the moment a wife’s drowning during a kayaking trip north of Brisbane became suspicious, while new details have revealed how much her husband is alleged to have claimed in life insurance after her death.

A former army officer charged with the murder of his wife who drowned in a lake four years ago allegedly tried to claim over a million dollars in life insurance policies.

Graeme Davidson, 54, was arrested on Sunday over the death of his wife Jacqueline Davidson, 54, who drowned at Lake Samsonvale northwest of Brisbane in November 2020.

Davidson, who moved to Thailand after his wife’s death and sold the family home, is also charged with fraud and attempted fraud.

Graeme Davidson has been charged with the murder of his wife Jacqueline Davidson, 54.

His matter was briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning, following his arrest upon his return to Australia for a family matter.

Detective Acting Inspector Steve Windsor would not comment on an alleged motive but confirmed life insurance claims into the hundreds of thousands of dollars were taken out.

“The combined life insurance was in excess of $1 million,” Insp Windsor said.

Insp Windsor declined to say when the policies were taken out but said the fraud charge related to money that was allegedly obtained.

“And there was an attempted fraud, a claim was made,” he said.

Police allege Davidson successfully claimed more than $260,000 in the weeks following his wife’s death – and then attempted to claim nearly $1 million more.

According to court documents, Davidson is alleged to have dishonestly gained $264,000 for himself on December 15, 2020 at an address in Warner.

Two weeks later on January 4, 2021, Davidson is alleged to have attempted to dishonestly gain a further $950,000 at the same address.

Davidson’s online profile states he was a Captain of the British Army and was also a member of the Australian Defence Force.

He was born in Glasgow and more recently resided at an address in Aspley, court documents reveal.

He is pictured with Ms Davidson in the profiles which state they married in 1994.

Scenes from Lake Samsonvale northwest of Brisbane where a woman died in November 2020. A man has been charged with murder.

Insp Windsor said Davidson originally gave police a version of events about his wife’s death and the investigation changed from being non-suspicious during the coronial process, with detectives speaking to a number of experts and witnesses.

He said it was not a straightforward investigation and about 18 months after her death the investigation became a murder case because there were matters that “appeared suspicious”.

“Police are required with all deaths to investigate the matter and satisfy the coroner the matter is not suspicious,” he said.

“In the process of doing that detectives uncovered evidence and matters which needed further investigation which resulted in the arrest yesterday.”

Davidson had been living with his wife before her death but Insp Windsor said police would allege there was “some form of breakdown in the relationship at that time”.

Ambulances at Lake Samsonvale when the woman died in November 2020. Picture: 7News Brisbane

He had been in Thailand for a number of years when the investigation was changed to a murder case.

Davidson made no appearance and was represented by Matthew Ingram from Robertson O’Gorman Solicitors.

He will remain in custody, with the matter to be mentioned again on May 19.

Police initially believed Ms Davidson had fallen into the water and drowned in a non-suspicious way while kayaking at Lake Samsonvale near Forgan Cove on November 27, 2020.

Witnesses and emergency services performed CPR but she died at the scene.

Originally published as Graeme Davidson charged with murder four years after wife’s kayak death at Lake Samsonvale