A mother accused of killing her adult children posed for three final photographs with her son one day before he was found dead from a fatal dose of oxycodone.
Queensland police revealed there were 7,103 photos found on accused murderer Maree Crabtree’s mobile phone, only three of which featured her son Jonathan, The Australian reported.
Jonathan, 26, was found dead in his bedroom in July, wearing the same clothes he wore in those photographs.
Crabtree, a mother-of-three, was arrested on Wednesday morning charged with murder, torture and fraud – after her son was found dead at the family home at Fig Court in Maudsland on the Gold Coast.
Maree Crabtree, a mother-of-three, was arrested on Wednesday morning charged with murder, torture and fraud – after her son was found dead at the family home at Fig Court in Maudsland on the Gold Coast
Crabtree was also charged with the murder of her daughter Erin, who was 18-years-old when she was found dead at the family’s previous home in Maudsland in 2012.
Police said the deaths were similar, with both dying from fatal overdoses of oxycodone.
Crabtree has also been accused of insurance claim fraud and the torture of a relative.
The Gold Coast woman’s lawyer said she vehemently denied the charges and planned to apply for bail.
Crabtree has been charged with the murders of her two impaired adult children – Erin, 18,(left) and Jonathan, 26 (right)
Jonathan, 26, was found dead in his bedroom in July, wearing the same clothes he wore in photos taken with his mother the day before
Crabtree’s (pictured) alleged crimes were financially motivated, according to the police
Crabtree’s alleged crimes were financially motivated, according to the police.
She allegedly went to see a psychologist to sort out her son’s permanent disability claim the morning before his death.
Police allege Crabtree administered her son the fatal overdose of oxycodone in a drink they bought from McDonald’s on the way home from the psychologist appointment.
Court documents show she allegedly dishonestly received an insurance payout of $567,863, a total permanent disability claim for $238,800 and had attempted to fraudulently obtain a superannuation death benefit of $125,000.
Her 18-year-old daughter and 26-year-old son were found dead around five years apart
When her son was found dead years later, a suicide note was discovered – but police will allege it was prepared by the mother
She is also charged with armed robbery over allegedly forcing Jonathan to hold up a chemist in 2015.
Detective Inspector Mark Thompson said police alleged the murders were pre-meditated and financially motivated.
Crabtree was remanded in custody and her matter is set to return to court on February 12.