Police probe into phone call at centre of investigation into Frances Elizabeth Crawford’s lawn mower death
The reason why a man called ‘triple-zero’ at 3.30am to report his wife’s fatal injuries in an apparent lawnmower incident is still being investigated by police as they investigate the death.
Frances Elizabeth Crawford, 49, was found dead next to a ride-on mower on a property on Thomas Rd in Upper Lockyer Valley near Toowoomba just before 3.40am on July 30.
Emergency responders found her at the base of a retaining wall in the backyard of the property.
Forensic testing and analysis of how Ms Crawford ended up at that location continues to be investigated almost three months later.
Her husband Robert Crawford made the triple-0 call, assisted police and has not been identified as a suspect.
On Friday, Chief Inspector George Marchesini said the timing of the emergency call contributed to police treating the death as suspicious.
“3.37am was approximately the time emergency services arrived on the scene,” he said.
‘I have explained that Mr Crawford assisted the police with their investigation and to date we believe he is the last person likely to have seen her alive that evening.
“That’s the information we have at this time.”
Frances Elizabeth Crawford was found dead at the bottom of a retaining wall at her Upper Lockyer Valley estate in July
Police also revealed on Friday that Mr Crawford had been messaging several women around the world via dating apps.
“We believe there were women involved in relationships with Mr Crawford who may have information about Ms Crawford that could assist in this investigation,” Detective Chief Inspector Marchesini said.
“Mr. Crawford may have met these women through dating solicitations and in his personal and professional life.”
In early August, Queensland police said they were treating Ms Crawford’s death as “suspicious” but said on Friday they were investigating whether she was murdered.
“Investigations are ongoing by the Crime and Intelligence Command Homicide Group and the Gatton Criminal Investigation Branch into the circumstances leading to her death,” Chief Inspector Marchesini said, adding that homicide detectives are pursuing several lines of inquiry.
He said one line included relationships they believe Ms Crawford’s husband, Robert, had with “several women”.
Police revealed they believe Mrs Crawford was murdered, following a lengthy investigation and are investigating her husband Robert’s (above) messages with multiple women on dating apps
Forensic investigation and analysis of Ms. Crawford’s home found her still being investigated
Mr Crawford was at the property on the night his wife died and has been assisting police since her death.
No charges have been filed against him and he has not been named as a suspect.
Investigators revealed that Mr Crawford had links to women in Italy, the United States of America, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Afghanistan, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and every state in Australia except South Australia and Tasmania.
“We are particularly interested in speaking to people who were aware of Frances or Robert Crawford and their personal circumstances, including their marriage,” Detective Chief Inspector Marchesini continued.
He said a number of people have come forward with information since the last public appeal.
“The last few months have been extremely challenging for Frances’ family and her children, who are desperate for answers, and it is time for those with information, no matter how small, to come forward,” Chief Inspector Marchesini said.
Mrs Crawford died from a retaining wall on her property in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley
‘Extensive forensic investigations have been carried out, including pathological examinations, and as a result we cannot definitively determine at this stage how she ended up at the bottom of that retaining wall and remains the subject of investigation.’
“She was at the bottom of a retaining wall.
‘The mower was at the bottom of the retaining wall, along with Frances, who was deceased at the time she was located when emergency services arrived.’
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation and who had connections to Ms Frances Crawford’s or Mr Robert Crawford’s address, whether as a couple or outside of marriage, is encouraged to come forward and contact police.