An Australian mother has been accused of slowly poisoning her two adult disabled children to death for financial gain, police said.
Maree Mavis Crabtree, 51, was arrested on Jan. 24 for killing her 26-year-old son Jonathan and 18-year-old daughter Erin following an elaborate police investigation that spanned across a number of states, according to Nine News.
Queensland police arrests Maree Crabtree on Jan. 24. (Screenshot via Queensland Police/Facebook)Crabtree’s daughter was found dead in September 2012, at a Maudsland home in Queensland, while her brother’s body was found at an Upper Coomera home five years later, in July 2017.
Both siblings had disabilities and died after being forced to take prescription medication, reported the news station, citing police.
Police believe the killings were pre-meditated and financially motivated.
LIVE: Detective Inspector Mark Thompson is speaking now about a woman arrested today on suspicion on murder. Watch on Facebook: https://t.co/7s5o4VOMGA pic.twitter.com/i1ZGoQyf0g
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) January 24, 2018
Before and after Erin’s death, Crabtree allegedly received about $458,396 (AU$567,863) from two insurance claims meant for the care of her children. She then allegedly made another two unsuccessful insurance claims in 2017 to cover permanent disability and death—which could have seen her receiving a further $293,024 (AU$363,000).
At the time of the claims, police were not suspicious of the siblings’ deaths but an investigation was launched after new information was received, reported Nine News.
Crabtree has been charged with two counts of murder, one count each of torture and grievous bodily harm. She has also been charged with an armed robbery which police alleged she forced her son to commit, grievous bodily harm, torture of a 25-year-old woman related to Crabtree, and several fraud offenses, according to a police statement.
Detective Inspector Mark Thompson said the investigation has been complex, as some of the alleged incidents occurred across Australia.
“That is why we are appealing for anyone who may have any information that could assist with the investigation,” Thompson said.
“Any piece of information, no matter how small, can have a significant impact on our investigation,” he added.
Detective Inspector Mark Thompson speaks about a Maree Crabtree who is charged with murder on Jan. 24. (Screenshot via Queensland Police/Facebook)From NTD.tv
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