A Queensland mother who was previously acquitted of her son’s murder is now facing murder charges in connection with her daughter’s death. Maree Mavis Crabtree, 59, was cleared of the murder of her 26-year-old son Jonathan, whose remains were found at their Gold Coast property in 2017. It was alleged that she drugged his smoothie with oxycodone to claim $125,000 from his insurance policy.
Despite facing accusations of murder, attempted murder, and fraud, Crabtree was declared not guilty on all charges by the jury earlier this month. She is now set to appear in court on a murder charge related to the death of her youngest daughter, Erin.
Erin, then 18, was discovered unresponsive at their home in September 2012 while the rest of the family was on a Pacific Islands cruise. The trip, organized by a disability service for Erin’s benefit, had Crabtree informing the travel agent that her daughter would not be joining them shortly before the cruise.
Details of the second murder allegation regarding Erin were not disclosed during Jonathan’s murder trial, with only a brief mention made by the judge. In addition to the murder charges, Crabtree is also facing multiple attempted fraud offenses totaling over $100,000.
Further complicating her legal situation, Crabtree is facing Commonwealth fraud charges in Brisbane District Court, with allegations of financial deception spanning nearly a decade. Defense solicitor Jodie Mair confirmed that these proceedings are on hold pending the resolution of the Supreme Court case.
Mair explained that the Commonwealth matters cannot proceed until the Supreme Court case is finalized, with ongoing discussions between the defense and prosecution regarding the outstanding Supreme Court indictment. The Commonwealth allegations are scheduled for mention in the District Court on July 16.
