Man accused of drowning wife, claiming $1m insurance
A man has been charged with murder years after his wife drowned while kayaking, with police alleging he tried to claim more than $1 million in life insurance.
Years after his wife died while kayaking, a man has been accused of murder and trying to claim more than $1 million in life insurance.
Graeme Davidson, 55, who now lives in Thailand, has been charged over the death of his wife Jacqueline.
Jacqueline, 54, drowned while kayaking with her husband at Lake Samsonvale, north of Brisbane, in November 2020.
She could not be revived when they returned to shore and died at the scene despite onlookers and emergency services performing CPR.
Her death was considered an accidental drowning.
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But police investigations for a report to the coroner uncovered further evidence and a homicide probe was launched â18 months to two yearsâ after her death.
âPolice are alleging the male person was involved in the drowning in the lake,â Detective Acting Inspector Steve Windsor told reporters on Monday.
Under Operation Victor Harlow, detectives gathered witness and expert statements including information about the lakeâs conditions at the time of Davidsonâs death.
The âcomplex and lengthyâ probe led to Davidson being charged with murder, fraud and attempted fraud following his arrest in Brisbane on Sunday.
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âThe cause of death was drowning but it was a case of talking to witnesses and gaining further evidence that the matter appeared suspicious,â Insp Windsor said.
âIncidents are not always what they initially seem, so I thank the detectives for their diligent work in this lengthy and arduous investigation.â
Insp Windsor said the married couple were living together but police would allege there was âsome form of breakdown in the relationshipâ at the time of Jacquelineâs death.
He said police would allege Davidson made a life insurance claim and attempted to make another after his wifeâs death, confirming they related to the fraud charges.
âThe combined life insurance was in excess of $1 million,â Insp Windsor said.
âThey were quite extensive.â
He said Davidson had been living in Thailand for a ânumber of yearsâ, prompting police to discuss extradition.
But Insp Windsor said police chose ânot to go down that pathâ and instead charged Davidson when he visited Brisbane for family reasons.
Davidson was refused police bail and his matter went before Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.
He did not appear in court and was remanded in custody after his matter was adjourned until May 19.
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