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| Australian mother accused of murdering adult children | Australian mother accused of murdering adult children |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| An Australian woman has been accused of murdering two of her children and torturing a third, in alleged crimes that spanned at least five years. | An Australian woman has been accused of murdering two of her children and torturing a third, in alleged crimes that spanned at least five years. |
| Maree Crabtree, 51, was arrested on Queensland's Gold Coast on Wednesday. | Maree Crabtree, 51, was arrested on Queensland's Gold Coast on Wednesday. |
| Police allege she killed her daughter, 18, in 2012, and her son, 26, last year. Both had disabilities. | Police allege she killed her daughter, 18, in 2012, and her son, 26, last year. Both had disabilities. |
| Authorities alleged Ms Crabtree was motivated by financial gain. Her lawyer, Emily Lewsey, said she would vigorously defend the charges. | Authorities alleged Ms Crabtree was motivated by financial gain. Her lawyer, Emily Lewsey, said she would vigorously defend the charges. |
| Queensland Police said another of Ms Crabtree's daughters, now 25, had been tortured, causing her to suffer "significant harm over a significant period of time". | Queensland Police said another of Ms Crabtree's daughters, now 25, had been tortured, causing her to suffer "significant harm over a significant period of time". |
| They did not detail the nature of any allegations. | They did not detail the nature of any allegations. |
| "These are pre-meditated and calculated, financially driven crimes," said Insp Mark Thompson. "They are not the acts of a compassionate mother." | "These are pre-meditated and calculated, financially driven crimes," said Insp Mark Thompson. "They are not the acts of a compassionate mother." |
| Fraud allegations | Fraud allegations |
| Local media named the alleged murder victims as Erin and Jonathan Crabtree. Their bodies were found, five years apart, in separate houses on Queensland's Gold Coast. | Local media named the alleged murder victims as Erin and Jonathan Crabtree. Their bodies were found, five years apart, in separate houses on Queensland's Gold Coast. |
| The deaths were initially treated as suicides until suspicions were later raised, the Courier Mail newspaper reported. | The deaths were initially treated as suicides until suspicions were later raised, the Courier Mail newspaper reported. |
| Police allege Maree Crabtree tried to make dishonest insurance claims worth almost A$1m (£600,000; $800,000) through death and other benefits. | Police allege Maree Crabtree tried to make dishonest insurance claims worth almost A$1m (£600,000; $800,000) through death and other benefits. |
| She was charged with two counts of murder, as well as separate charges of torture, grievous bodily harm, fraud, attempted fraud, and armed robbery. | She was charged with two counts of murder, as well as separate charges of torture, grievous bodily harm, fraud, attempted fraud, and armed robbery. |
| Police Insp Mark Thompson said the investigation included alleged incidents that had happened in other Australian states. | Police Insp Mark Thompson said the investigation included alleged incidents that had happened in other Australian states. |
| "The family in question have a significant history within New South Wales and other states of Australia," he said. | "The family in question have a significant history within New South Wales and other states of Australia," he said. |
| 'Traumatic' investigation | 'Traumatic' investigation |
| Police said they would not divulge details of the allegations until they were discussed in court. | Police said they would not divulge details of the allegations until they were discussed in court. |
| Insp Thompson described it as a complex investigation that had "taken its toll" on investigators. | |
| "It's extremely traumatic as investigators to see what has happened to these children over an extended period of time," he said. | "It's extremely traumatic as investigators to see what has happened to these children over an extended period of time," he said. |
| It is alleged Ms Crabtree acted alone, he added. | It is alleged Ms Crabtree acted alone, he added. |
| Insp Thompson urged the public to inform authorities if they suspected vulnerable people were being exploited or abused. | Insp Thompson urged the public to inform authorities if they suspected vulnerable people were being exploited or abused. |
| Ms Crabtree faced a court in Brisbane on Wednesday and was remanded in custody. | Ms Crabtree faced a court in Brisbane on Wednesday and was remanded in custody. |