Former pilot pleads not guilty to wife's murder in Brisbane

Forty-seven witnesses are expected to testify in the coming weeks as a former Royal Australian Air Force pilot faces charges of murdering his wife.

Robert John Crawford, 49, entered a not guilty plea on Monday, October 26, in the Brisbane Supreme Court.

Prosecutor Chris Cook told the jury that Crawford killed Frances Elizabeth Crawford on July 29, 2024.

Her body was found next to a ride-on lawnmower at the base of a retaining wall on the couple's rural property in Upper Lockyer, west of Toowoomba.

The prosecution argues that Crawford staged the scene to make the death appear accidental.

Justice Lincoln Crowley explained that the state will allege the victim died from either strangulation or blunt-force trauma.

Cook cited financial motives for the alleged killing.

The marriage was nearing its end, and Crawford faced the prospect of losing the family home and splitting his superannuation in a settlement.

The prosecutor described Crawford as maintaining a double life while claiming strong Christian values.

Cook called the accused a love rat and said he was not committed to the marriage.

Four women with whom Crawford allegedly had affairs are scheduled to provide evidence.

Frances Crawford had established specific boundaries for her husband before her death to give him a chance to prove his commitment to her and their children. These rules covered sexual or emotional infidelity, pornography, and masturbation. She remained undecided on whether to end the marriage while waiting to see if he met these conditions. The jury will visit the crime scene on Wednesday to better understand the evidence. The defense has not yet delivered an opening statement.