A mother acquitted of her son’s killing now faces murder charges relating to her daughter’s death. Maree Mavis Crabtree from Queensland, Australia was cleared of murdering her 26 year old son Jonathan.
His remains were discovered at their Gold Coast property in 2017, with Crabtree, 59, accused of lacing a smoothie with oxycodone before making a $125,000 insurance claim from his superannuation death benefit policy.
Crabtree denied murder, attempted murder and fraud allegations. The jury delivered not guilty verdicts on all counts earlier this month.
She must now face court on a murder charge concerning the death of her youngest daughter Erin.
Erin, then 18, was discovered unresponsive at the family residence in September 2012. Her mother, brother and sister were abroad on a Pacific Islands cruise at the time.
View 3 ImagesErin’s body was found in 2012(Image: ABC News)
The getaway had been arranged by a disability service to provide Erin with a break, however her mother informed the travel agent just weeks beforehand that her daughter would not be attending.
Every detail surrounding the second murder allegation against Crabtree was withheld from jurors throughout Jonathan’s murder trial, though the judge made reference to her death during the summing up.
Beyond the murder accusations, Crabtree stands charged with attempted fraud offences totalling at least $100,000 in December 2018, at least $30,000 between October 2010 and June 2015, and a further attempted fraud in June 2015.
Crabtree was also hit with Commonwealth fraud allegations at Brisbane District Court on May 22, facing eight counts of securing financial advantage through deception spanning 2009 to 2018, alongside three general dishonesty charges.
Defence solicitor Jodie Mair explained the Commonwealth proceedings were on hold pending resolution of her client’s Supreme Court case.
View 3 ImagesJonathan’s body was found in 2017(Image: ABC News)
“I can confirm that the first of those indictments has been resolved by way of a trial,” Mair stated, referencing Crabtree’s acquittal on May 11.
She indicated the remaining murder and state fraud allegations are scheduled for mention or review in the coming month.
“It’s the case where these (Commonwealth) matters reasonably can’t progress until finalisation of the Supreme Court matters, and largely that may dictate how these matters proceed,” she explained.
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She confirmed ongoing dialogue between defence and prosecution regarding the remaining Supreme Court indictment.
The Commonwealth allegations are due for mention in the District Court on July 16.