Army Major Charged with Murder and Insurance Fraud
An Australian army major has been charged with murdering his wife more than four years after she died in a kayaking accident. Graeme Davidson, 54, was arrested while visiting Brisbane on Sunday. His wife, Jacqueline Davidson, 54, drowned while kayaking with him at Lake Samsonvale north of Brisbane in November 2020. Despite CPR attempts by onlookers and emergency services, she could not be revived and died at the scene.
Initially, Jacqueline’s death was considered non-suspicious. However, a coronial inquiry led to detectives declaring it suspicious and launching an investigation. Police allege that Davidson was involved in his wife’s drowning death and subsequently attempted to claim over $1 million in life insurance policies.
Davidson has been charged with murder, fraud, and attempted fraud. He was denied bail and made no appearance at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. Detective Acting Inspector Steve Windsor confirmed that the fraud charge relates to money allegedly obtained from life insurance claims, stating, ‘The combined life insurance was in excess of $1 million, and there was an attempted fraud, a claim was made.’
Davidson’s background includes being a major in the Australian Army and a captain in the British Army. The couple reportedly married in 1994. Davidson will remain in custody, with the matter to be mentioned again on May 19.
