Maree Mavis Crabtree has been found not guilty of all charges relating to the death of her 26-year-old son, Jonathan Crabtree, at their home in Maudsland in 2017. Following a five-week retrial in the Supreme Court of Queensland in Brisbane, a jury returned not guilty verdicts on charges of murder, an earlier attempted murder and fraud. Jurors also acquitted Crabtree of the alternative charge of manslaughter. Prosecutors alleged Crabtree had served her son a fruit smoothie containing prescription medications, including toxic levels of oxycodone, and later attempted to make a fraudulent insurance claim through his superannuation fund after his death. The case was heard for a second time after the original 2024 trial was aborted due to the emergence of additional evidence and concerns about the strength of the prosecution case. After hearing evidence from more than 60 witnesses, the jury cleared Crabtree of all allegations, and she was discharged and allowed to leave court.
Crime News
Maree Crabtree found not guilty of murdering son with alleged drug-laced smoothie
By 19News Editorial Team · Published 13 May 2026
Brisbane Queensland · Queensland News
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Maree Mavis Crabtree has been found not guilty of all charges relating to the death of her 26-year-old son, Jonathan Crabtree, at their home in Maudsland in 2017. Following a five-week retrial in the Supreme Court of...
Maree Mavis Crabtree has been found not guilty of all charges relating to the death of her 26-year-old son, Jonathan Crabtree, at their home in Maudsland in 2017. Following a five-week retrial in the Supreme Court of Queensland in Brisbane, a jury returned not guilty verdicts on charges of murder, an earlier attempted murder and fraud. Jurors also acquitted Crabtree of the alternative charge of manslaughter. Prosecutors alleged Crabtree had served her son a fruit smoothie containing prescription medications, including toxic levels of oxycodone, and later attempted to make a fraudulent insurance claim through his superannuation fund after his death. The case was heard for a second time after the original 2024 trial was aborted due to the emergence of additional evidence and concerns about the strength of the prosecution case. After hearing evidence from more than 60 witnesses, the jury cleared Crabtree of all allegations, and she was discharged and allowed to leave court.
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