Former RAAF pilot was living 'double life' before wife's death, court hears

A former RAAF pilot accused of murdering his wife at their Queensland home embarked on a "campaign to make her death appear like a tragic accident", the Brisbane Supreme Court has heard. 

On the first day of Robert John Crawford's trial for the alleged murder of his wife Frances Crawford, the court heard he was a "master manipulator", "adulterer and philanderer" who loved money so much he "killed for it".

The former RAAF squadron leader is accused of strangling his wife, and or causing blunt force trauma to her head at their Upper Lockyer home in late July 2024.

The Crown alleged Mr Crawford then manipulated the scene to try and make it appear like she fell while moving their ride-on mower one evening.

On Monday, the court was shown a photo of the mother-of-three's body where it was found beside the mower, which was tipped on its side, next to a retaining wall at their semi-rural property.

Accused was 'interested in other women'

According to the prosecution, a "perfect storm" was brewing in the lead up to the alleged murder.

The prosecution said this meant Mr Crawford was due to lose out financially in a divorce settlement, prompted by his infidelity over many years.

"Mr Crawford was interested in other women and not committed to his marriage,"

Crown Prosecutor Chris Cook said.

"He wanted to retain possession and occupancy of their house at Upper Lockyer."

He said Mr Crawford had not wanted to split his lucrative superannuation with his wife in any settlement, and did not like conditions imposed on him during a period the couple were separated and attending counselling, while seeing if they could reconcile the marriage.

The week after Frances Crawford's alleged murder, her husband was due to undergo a "looming" polygraph test and was about to be "booted" out of the couples $2.6 million home, the court heard.

Prosecution to call up to 50 witnesses

Mr Crawford has pleaded not guilty to one charge of domestic violence murder.

He has been on bail for more than two years as he awaited the trial, which is set down to run for about three weeks.

The jury heard the Crown planned to call nearly 50 witnesses, including the couple's children, Frances Crawford's siblings and friends, first responders, and various forensic, DNA and ecological experts.

A number of Mr Crawford's former RAAF colleagues, and the women he allegedly had relationships and affairs with in the years before his wife's death are also expected to give evidence.

Before her alleged murder in 2024, Frances Crawford worked part time as a psychologist in Toowoomba.

The court heard that she was a devout Christian, and despite wanting "to be loved by her husband" and "live happily ever after like a fairy tale", she instead felt "unsafe" in her marriage.

A number of her loved ones attended court for the first day of the trial, with some to speak as witnesses, while others sat in the public gallery in support of the mother-of-three.