Man denies murdering wife found by ride-on mower

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 18:32 · Archive

Robert Crawford denies murdering his wife Frances, allegedly found dead next to a ride-on mower.

Robert Crawford, 49, is on trial for the alleged murder of his wife Frances on 29 July 2024. The prosecution alleges he strangled her and staged the death with a ride-on mower to make it appear a tragic accident. They further allege he falsified text messages with his wife on the night of her death to cover his tracks.

The court has heard that Crawford had multiple affairs throughout his marriage. One of the women involved, Emily Renshaw, gave evidence on Tuesday. She testified that Crawford told her his wife was emotionally abusive, saying 'She would call him a narcissist' and 'act quite cold and pick fights with him in front of the kids'.

Ms Renshaw said Crawford told her he felt 'trapped, alone and isolated' in the marriage but was reluctant to leave due to family and financial reasons. She explained that the youngest of his three children was still in school and he did not want to be separated from his church community and friends. The court has also heard that Mrs Crawford closely surveilled her husband's finances and communications, and required him to take regular polygraph tests.

The trial also heard evidence from another woman, Sarah Goodsell, a friend to whom Crawford confided intimate details about his marriage.

How it is being reported

• Emotional abuse claim aired by mistress in murder trialDetails about a marriage in tatters, multiple mistresses and a mower have emerged in a murder trial of a man accused of killing his wife.Perth Now · 27 Oct, 18:03
• Emotional abuse claim aired by mistress in murder trialDetails about a marriage in tatters, multiple mistresses and a mower have emerged in a murder trial of a man accused of killing his wife.The West Australian · 27 Oct, 18:03

In this story: Robert Crawford · Frances Crawford · Emily Renshaw · Sarah Goodsell

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