Delay explained: Simon Jones accused of murdering mother-in-law Krishna Chopra

More than three years after a Darling Downs woman was allegedly violently killed inside her home, her family is no closer to having their questions answered. Here’s why.

Simon Jones was charged with murder arising from the death of Crows Nest woman Krishna Chopra whose body was found inside her Park Road home in January 2022.

The family of Krishna Chopra, who was allegedly killed by her son-in-law Simon Jones in 2022, are no closer to having their questions answered as the case lags before court due to an enormous DNA backlog in the state-run forensics lab.

The 61-year-old was found dead inside her Crows Nest Home on January 31, 2022, about 40km north of Toowoomba on the Darling Downs.

Members of the Crows Nest community described Krishna Chopra as a gentle, down-to-earth woman who had a spiritual side.

Police allege Ms Chopra was violently killed having succumbed to a significant head injury sometime after January 20, which was the last day she was seen alive.

It’s believed her body lay undiscovered for 10 days, after which a significant investigation was launched into the death with police offering a $500,000 reward for information in October 2022.

In March 2022, Ms Chopra’s son-in-law, Simon Jones, was arrested and charged with murder in a domestic violence setting after he handed himself into a Warwick police station.

The Pratten man successfully applied for Supreme Court bail in 2023.

The 36-year-old man’s murder charge was mentioned before the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Friday, March 21.

The court heard no progress had been made since the matter was mentioned a year ago due to delays with Queensland’s forensics labs.

In January 2024, the lower court heard Mr Jones’ lawyers could not decide which course to take until all the DNA evidence, which was more than 100 samples, was available.

Mr Jones is represented by Bouchier Khan Lawyers managing director and criminal law expert Nathan Bouchier.

State Emergency Services volunteers and police gather at the home of Krishna Chopra. Pic: Rowan Morris

Mr Bouchier told the court that he was still awaiting the results and expected the matter to be adjourned.

Police prosecution could not provide the court with an update or timeframe on when the DNA results would be completed.

The case was adjourned for a further two months and will next be mentioned before the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on May 16.

Mr Jones remains on Supreme Court bail within the community despite being charged with an alleged bail breach.