Gold Coast mother Maree Crabtree acquitted of son Jonathan's murder after trial
Consensus Summary
Maree Mavis Crabtree, a 59-year-old Gold Coast mother, was acquitted of murdering her 26-year-old son Jonathan Crabtree in July 2017 after a five-week trial in Brisbane Supreme Court. The prosecution’s case relied heavily on Tara Crabtree, Jonathan’s sister and Maree’s daughter, who testified that Maree laced a fruit smoothie with lethal oxycodone to kill her son. Tara also claimed Maree had previously attempted to poison Jonathan with a drugged milkshake. The defence argued Tara’s testimony was inconsistent, motivated by financial gain, and potentially fabricated, while also highlighting Jonathan’s history of depression, drug addiction, and suicidal tendencies. A note found in Jonathan’s bin suggested self-harm, and the defence proposed he may have overdosed accidentally or by suicide. The jury ultimately rejected the prosecution’s case, finding Maree not guilty of murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, and fraud. The acquittal followed closing arguments where the defence emphasized Tara’s potential role in the death and Maree’s lack of motive, while the prosecution insisted on her financial gain and circumstantial evidence.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Maree Mavis Crabtree (59) was accused of murdering her 26-year-old son Jonathan Crabtree on July 19, 2017, in their Gold Coast home (Maudsland).
- Jonathan Crabtree was found dead in his bed from a fatal dose of prescription medication, including oxycodone.
- Tara Crabtree (Jonathan’s sister and Maree’s daughter) was the Crown’s key witness, alleging Maree laced a fruit smoothie with lethal drugs to kill Jonathan.
- Maree Crabtree pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder, and attempted fraud at the start of her trial in Brisbane Supreme Court on April 7, 2026.
- Tara Crabtree testified she was present when Maree allegedly prepared the fatal smoothie and an earlier poisoned milkshake attempt.
- A note found in Jonathan Crabtree’s bin read: 'hey mum, my brian (sic) is keep telling me to do this. I want you, Maree, to have my share of …' (rest indistinct).
- Tara Crabtree was granted indemnity from prosecution (excluding perjury) by the state’s Attorney General.
- The jury deliberated for two days before returning a not guilty verdict on all charges (murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, fraud) on May 11, 2026.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Defence barrister Angus Edwards KC compared Maree Crabtree to Lindy Chamberlain, who was wrongly convicted of her baby’s death before being exonerated.
- Prosecutor Caroline Marco argued Tara’s inconsistencies were due to 'limitations in her competency and lapses in memory from an event that occurred nearly a decade ago.'
- Tara’s friend was the first to alert police about Jonathan’s death, not Tara, due to fear of retribution.
- Forensic evidence showed no fruit scraps matching Tara’s claims of a smoothie were found in the home despite extensive police searches.
- Drug analysis of the blender did not match Tara’s claims about the substances used in the smoothie.
- The trial lasted five weeks with evidence from over 60 witnesses.
- Maree Crabtree was discharged and free to leave court after the verdict.
- Prosecutor Marco described Maree as having a 'clear financial motive' to kill Jonathan, citing dwindling family savings and potential superannuation benefits.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Tara Crabtree came forward with her account two years after Jonathan’s death, while Article 2 does not specify the exact timeline of her disclosure to police.
- Article 1 claims Tara was initially coached by Maree to lie to police about Jonathan’s death, but Article 2 does not explicitly mention this coaching.
- Article 1 suggests Tara’s friend destroyed evidence after being asked by the defence, while Article 2 implies Tara herself may have destroyed evidence without direct confirmation from the friend.
Source Articles
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