Friends rally to help Fraser family in wake of Samantha’s murder

The parents of slain Phillip Island mum Samantha Fraser say they are dealing with “incomprehensible grief” as a fundraiser is launched to help them raise her three children.

The parents of slain Phillip Island mum Samantha Fraser say they are dealing with “incomprehensible grief” in the aftermath of her tragic murder as they grapple with raising her children.

Ms Fraser, a doting mother of three, was killed by her estranged husband Adrian Basham, 44, in July 2018.

Basham lay in wait outside his former wife’s Cowes home the morning after her 38th birthday before following her into the garage, assaulting her and tying a hangman’s noose around her neck.

Friends of the Fraser family launched a fundraiser this week in a bid to help Samantha’s parents raise their three grandchildren.

Samantha Fraser was found dead at her Phillip Island home.

“Her three children Jemima, Rex and April, now parentless, are in the care of their maternal retired grandparents Trevor and Janine,” family friend Rodney Boyle said on a GoFundMe page.

“Her family and friends have waited nearly four years (45 long months) for justice, and for a fraction of closure in the worst years of their lives.

“Trevor and Janine have experienced what no parent should, losing their child. And in the midst of their grief, they’ve been parenting her children, supporting them through their grief, bearing the financial costs of raising children again, and dealing with the psychological effects this type of loss endures.

“The Fraser family has been dealing with incomprehensible grief and Covid-19 has impacted the kids ability to go to school, socialise and reap the benefits of the amazing Phillip Island community whose support has been unwavering over the last four years.

“Janine and Trevor want to give their beloved daughter’s kids a life full of love, adventures and positive experiences.”

Samantha Fraser.

Adrian Basham.

Mr Boyle described Samantha as a “devoted” mother, daughter and sister.

“Sam worked as a psychologist in a local clinic working with and supporting the local community,” he said.

“She enjoyed running, swimming, music, spending time with her kids, friends and family.”

Samantha’s father, Trevor Fraser, said any donations would be greatly appreciated.

“After the events of the last two years, the lockdowns, the homeschooling and all this grief and trauma, the children have dreams of doing some special things,” Mr Fraser said.

“The much-valued assistance and kindness of society will help make these dreams a reality. Any donations are greatly appreciated.”

The garage in Cowes where Samantha Fraser’s body was found. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Police found Ms Fraser’s body hanging from her garage door shortly after 5pm on July 23, with officers attending the family home when she failed to pick her three children up from school.

Basham had admitted to assaulting his wife in the garage, but insisted she was alive when he left her and her death was a result of suicide.

But a Supreme Court jury rejected his lies.

Following a six-week trial, it took less than two days for 12 jurors to find Basham guilty of brutally killing his estranged wife in the home she shared with the couple’s three children and staging a suicide scene.

The pair were married for 10 years before separating in early 2017.

Basham will face a pre-sentence hearing on September 19.

The maximum sentence for murder is life behind bars.