Murder charge for husband of wife found near lawnmower

Frances Crawford's husband has been charged with the Queensland mother-of-three's murder. (Queensland Police Service/AAP PHOTOS)

A devastated family has paid tribute to a mother found dead in suspicious circumstances near a ride-on lawnmower after her husband was charged with murder.

The body of Frances Elizabeth Crawford, 49, was found at the bottom of a retaining wall at a property west of Brisbane about 3.40am on July 30.

Air force pilot Robert Crawford, 47, was arrested on Thursday and charged with murder and interfering with a corpse.

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

an aerial view of a property in Upper Lockyer, Queensland
Frances Crawford was found dead in suspicious circumstances at an Upper Lockyer property.

Ms Crawford's family said the psychologist would be remembered as a loving mother, beloved daughter, sister, friend and dedicated health professional.

In a moving statement, the family described Ms Crawford as a valued member of her church and community.

"Her death has been devastating to us all, even more so given the circumstances," the statement said.

"Frances' passing will profoundly affect each of us for the rest of our lives, but none more so than her three beautiful children."

The family vowed to rally around the children, who they described as "wonderful young adults who will continue Frances' legacy". 

"They have been dealt a very difficult blow indeed as they each embark on their own journeys," the family statement said.

"However with the support of family and good people around them, they will not be defined by this or what has gone before."

The family thanked police, saying they had been "relentless in their investigations in an effort to provide us answers".

"While today is a step forward, sadly nothing will bring Frances back to us," they said.

"We know we still have a long and difficult road ahead, both in grieving Frances and processing what has occurred."

lawnmower death
Frances Crawford's body was found near a mower at the bottom of a retaining wall.

The family also thanked the community for their support and requested privacy.

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

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

"I'd like to thank those people in particular for their bravery in coming forward to provide that information," he said.

Crawford is expected to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Friday.

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