Air force pilot remanded after wife found dead near lawn mower

A man accused of murder after his wife was found dead in suspicious circumstances near a ride-on lawn mower has been remanded in custody.

He was arrested yesterday and later charged with murder and interfering with a corpse, months after his wife Frances Elizabeth Crawford’s body was discovered.

Ms Crawford, 49, was found at the bottom of a retaining wall near the lawn mower at a property west of Brisbane about 3.40am on July 30.

Police had previously said Crawford was at the Upper Lockyer property on the night the mother-of-three died.

Crawford’s solicitor, Andrew McGinness sought a two-week adjournment for the case to be mentioned again on October 25.

Magistrate Sue Ganasan granted the application and ordered Crawford be held in custody.

McGinness did not comment as he left court.

In a public appeal last week, homicide detectives asked people who had been in contact with Crawford to come forward with any relevant information.

Detective Superintendent George Marchesini yesterday said the arrest was the result of the bravery of people who had come forward along with detectives’ tireless efforts.

Crawford’s family paid tribute to the mother-of-three late yesterday, saying they would rally around her children, who they described as “wonderful young adults who will continue Frances’ legacy”.

For support call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline 13 11 14.