A tragic case involving a Queensland mother took a new turn as she prepares to face trial over the death of her youngest daughter, years after her son’s untimely passing from an oxycodone overdose. Maree Mavis Crabtree, 59, was acquitted in May of this year of charges related to the death of her son, Jonathan, who was found dead at their Gold Coast home in 2017.
Crabtree had been accused of lacing a fruit smoothie with the prescription painkiller oxycodone, subsequently making a $125,000 insurance claim from his superannuation death benefit. Despite these serious allegations, she was found not guilty of murder, attempted murder, and fraud by Brisbane’s Supreme Court, and was released from custody.
In an unexpected development, however, it has emerged that Crabtree will be returning to court. This time, she faces a murder charge concerning the 2012 death of her youngest daughter, Erin.
Erin, who was just 18 at the time, was discovered unresponsive in the family home while her mother, brother, and sister were away on a 12-day cruise to the Pacific Islands. This new trial will bring fresh scrutiny to a family history already marked by tragedy and legal battles.
However earlier this week, the Daily Mail revealed Crabtree must return to court to face a murder charge over the death of her youngest daughter Erin.
Erin, 18, was found unresponsive inside the family home in September 2012, while her mother, brother and sister were enjoying a 12-day cruise to the Pacific Islands.
The trip was funded by disability service Lifestyle Solutions to give Erin a holiday, but just a few weeks before departure, her mother told the travel agent her daughter was too scared to go.
The court heard how Jonathan had died a slow and painful death due to the excessive amount of oxycodone in his system.
Maree Crabtree (pictured) was found not guilty of killing her son Jonathan earlier this month
Maree (left) accused of killing Jonathan (right) with a drug-spiked smoothie before making a $125,000 insurance claim however the jury found her not guilty on all counts
She is now accused of killing her 18-year-old daughter Erin, whose body was found in 2012
When Crabtree called emergency services after finding Jonathan on his bed the next morning, she said she thought he was dead.
Asked by the triple-O operator to attempt CPR and ‘give him a chance’, Crabtree said she was unable to.
‘I wouldn’t be able, I’ve got a bad back…I can’t even stay in his room,’ she replied. ‘I think he’s dead… I can’t look at him, I think he’s dead.’
The court heard Jonathan had been dead for at least three hours before paramedics found him.
A recording of the triple-O call was played to the jury and later made public.
Kayla Robb, who testified during the five-week trial, told the Daily Mail she had spoken to Jonathan just hours before he died and was devastated when Crabtree called the next morning with the news.
Ms Robb, who became close with Jonathan after meeting him in 2011, said she was shocked when police launched an investigation into his death.
‘Like I said in court, I saw (Crabtree) as a good mum, I was close with her. I was basically the apple of her eye in regards to Jonathan’s friends, she told me everything,’ Ms Robb said.
Crabtree’s surviving child Tara (pictured arriving at the Brisbane Supreme Court)
The prosecution alleged Crabtree used a blender (pictured in the drawer) to make the fatal smoothie that contained crushed up oxycodones
Jonathan’s friend Kayla Robb (pictured) said he was the ‘best human being to be around’
She described Jonathan as a ‘gentle giant’ with the ‘kindest heart’ after it emerged in court he had suffered a serious brain injury in a 2015 car crash.
‘After he had his car accident, he did turn into an a***hole,’ Ms Robb said.
The court heard about the impact Erin’s death had on Jonathan, with a recording played to the jury of Crabtree describing to police how close the pair were.
Crabtree said Jonathan began using drugs and became depressed and suicidal after Erin’s sudden death.
It’s understood Jonathan asked a family friend to check in on Erin while the family were on the cruise.
Three days into the holiday, her body was found under a doona. The Crabtrees cut their cruise short and returned home.
A drawing was found in her notebook with the words ‘RIP Erin’ on a gravestone led to police initially ruling her death a suicide.
‘When we [Jonathan’s friends[ talk about it, we are all at the same [point] – like, where do we go from here? None of us got to say goodbye.’
The court heard his personality changed after being involved in a serious car crash in 2015 (Jonathon is pictured in hospital following the collision)
Ms Robb said the day she found out Jonathan had passed was ‘the day time stopped’ for her
Jonathan and his mum Maree Crabtree in a photo taken the day before he died at the age of 26
Ms Robb claims she wasn’t allowed to meet up with Jonathan in-person after the accident
After the trial ended, Ms Robb wrote him a letter to express how she was feeling (pictured)
Another excerpt of the emotional letter written by Ms Robb is pictured
Ms Robb has launched a GoFundMe to give him ‘the send-off he truly deserves’.
A portion of the funds will help pay for flights and accommodation for Jonathan’s father Mark to attend the memorial.
Funds will also be donated to the Helensvale Hornets rugby league team, where Jonathan’s ashes were spread.
‘That’s where he played, that’s where he loved going, that was his safe space,’ Ms Robb said.
‘He was a giving person, even though he had nothing to give, he’d still give everything he could so that’s what I’m doing. I want everyone to know he made an impact in so many people’s lives, and I want that impact to continue, nine years later.’
As well as the murder charge, Crabtree faces attempted fraud charges involving at least $100,000 in December 2018, at least $30,000 between October 2010 and June 2015 and another alleged offence in June 2015.
Crabtree also faced Commonwealth fraud charges at Brisbane District Court on May 22, including eight counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception between 2009 and 2018 and three charges of general dishonesty.
Crabtree’s lawyer Jodie Mair said the Commonwealth charges couldn’t progress until her client’s Supreme Court matter was finalised.
Jonathan’s father Mark (pictured) said he feels closest to his son at the home ground of the Helensvale Hornets rugby league team, where he played
Crabtree is also facing multiple fraud charges which are listed for mention within the month
‘I can confirm that the first of those indictments has been resolved by way of a trial,’ Ms Mair said, referring to Crabtree’s acquittal on May 11.
Ms Mair said the outstanding murder and state fraud charges are listed for mention or review within the next 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 said.
‘As I’ve indicated the lines of communication are open between…defence and the prosecution in respect of the remaining Supreme Court indictment.’
The Commonwealth charges are listed for mention in the District Court on July 16.
Crabtree has always maintained her innocence.
