Maree Crabtree trial for alleged murder of son Jonathan Crabtree with poisoned drink
Consensus Summary
Maree Mavis Crabtree is on trial in Brisbane for the murder of her 26-year-old son Jonathan Crabtree in July 2017, with additional charges of attempted murder and fraud. The prosecution alleges she killed Jonathan by giving him a fruit smoothie laced with a lethal dose of oxycodone, part of a deliberate plan to access his superannuation death benefits. Jonathan had a troubled history, including drug abuse, a serious car crash in 2015 that left him with cognitive impairment, and a prior domestic violence incident with his mother in March 2017. Maree Crabtree has pleaded not guilty, arguing her sonâs death was likely due to an overdose of drugs he had access to, and that she was unaware of his severe addiction. The trial, which began in April 2026, will feature testimony from emergency responders, pharmacists, and Jonathanâs sister Tara, who has been granted immunity from prosecution. The defence has questioned Taraâs credibility, suggesting her account of the events was fabricated after Jonathanâs death. Key evidence includes police recordings of Maree Crabtreeâs reactions to her sonâs death, her claims about his drug use, and disputes over the circumstances surrounding his final hours.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Maree Mavis Crabtree is on trial in Brisbane Supreme Court for the murder of her son Jonathan Crabtree in July 2017, along with charges of attempted murder and attempted fraud.
- Jonathan Crabtree was 26 years old at the time of his death.
- The prosecution alleges Jonathan Crabtree died from consuming a fruit smoothie or juice laced with a lethal dose of oxycodone prepared by his mother.
- Maree Crabtree pleaded not guilty to all charges: murder, attempted murder, and attempted fraud.
- The trial began on April 7, 2026, and is expected to run for at least three weeks (with one source suggesting five weeks).
- Jonathan Crabtree had a history of drug abuse, including prescription drug misuse, and was previously charged with robbing a chemist.
- Jonathan Crabtree suffered a serious car crash in June 2015, resulting in permanent injuries and cognitive impairment (assessed as the mental capacity of a 6-8-year-old).
- Maree Crabtree told police she believed her son was a drug addict who would inject anything, including Vegemite and over-the-counter medication.
- Police were called to the Crabtree home on March 4, 2017, for a domestic disturbance involving Jonathan threatening his mother with violence over money.
- Jonathan Crabtreeâs body was discovered on July 19, 2017, with signs indicating he had been dead for several hours before emergency services arrived.
- The prosecution alleges Maree Crabtree attempted to claim death benefits from Jonathanâs superannuation fund after his death.
- Jonathan Crabtreeâs sister Tara Crabtree is expected to testify, and she has been granted immunity from prosecution for her alleged role in the events.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The prosecution alleges Tara Crabtree helped her mother by keeping watch while the lethal drink was prepared and heard Jonathan struggling after drinking it.
- Maree Crabtree refused to perform CPR on Jonathan, claiming she had a bad back and thought he was already dead.
- The prosecution claims this was not the first time Maree Crabtree allegedly gave Jonathan a drink laced with oxycodone with the intent to kill him (January 2017 attempt).
- Maree Crabtree told police she believed Jonathan might have had a heart attack due to his weight and appearance.
- The defence lawyer argued that Tara Crabtreeâs account of the events was fabricated more than two years after Jonathanâs death.
- Sergeant Mathew Dowling testified that during the March 2017 domestic disturbance, Jonathan threatened to beat his mother with a shovel over a $30 weekly allowance dispute.
- Maree Crabtree expressed frustration that the house was in Jonathan and Taraâs names, preventing her from placing him in a care facility.
- The paramedics noted a Spider-Man backpack near Jonathanâs body, though its exact location was disputed (one paramedic saw it in the bedroom, Sergeant Dowling saw it at the front door).
- Maree Crabtree described Jonathanâs mental health decline after the death of his sister Erin, though she could not recall the exact year Erin died.
- Maree Crabtree claimed she had made multiple reports to Crime Stoppers about Jonathan buying illicit drugs from a 'bikie'.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the trial is expected to run for five weeks, while NEWSCOMAU states it is set to run for just over three weeks.
- ABC reports that Maree Crabtree told police she was 'horrified' by the discovery of drug packets in Jonathanâs room and claimed she was not aware he had access to some medications, while NEWSCOMAU does not mention this specific reaction.
- ABC includes a detail that Maree Crabtree told police she believed Jonathanâs doctor appointment the day before his death upset him, leading to his potential suicide, while NEWSCOMAU only mentions this in the context of Maree Crabtreeâs recorded interview without emphasizing the doctorâs role.
- NEWSCOMAU states that Maree Crabtree described the house as being in Jonathan and Taraâs names due to an insurance payment, while ABC does not specify the source of the house ownership dispute beyond Maree Crabtreeâs claim of financial contribution.
Source Articles
Mother accused of son's murder told police he would 'shoot up Vegemite'
Maree Mavis Crabtree is on trial in Brisbane charged with the murder of Jonathan Crabtree in July 2017, and his earlier attempted murder....
Mother-son DV before alleged murder
Months before his untimely death, a troubled man and his mother were involved in a domestic violence incident, a court heard. Now his mother is on trial for murder....
Mum to fight poison juice claim in sonâs death
An almost decade-long wait for justice will near its end on Tuesday as a mother accused of murdering her own son with poison juice faces trial....
Gold Coast mother pleads not guilty to murdering son with spiked smoothie
Maree Mavis Crabtree has pleaded not guilty to the murder of her son Jonathan in 2017, his attempted murder earlier that year, and attempted fraud....
âMy bestâ: Murder accused on sonâs death
The mother accused of murdering her son told police his supposed troubles with addiction led him to inject himself with Vegemite, a court has been told....