Man Accused of Murdering Wife for $1 Million Insurance Payout
A 55-year-old man has been charged with murder and fraud after his wife drowned while kayaking four years ago at Lake Samsonvale, north of Brisbane. Graeme Davidson, who now resides in Thailand, faces allegations of deliberately causing the death of his 54-year-old wife, Jacqueline, in November 2020.
The incident occurred while the couple was kayaking together on Lake Samsonvale. Despite attempts by onlookers and emergency services to revive Jacqueline Davidson through CPR, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Initially, her death was considered an accidental drowning. However, a ‘complex and lengthy’ police investigation under Operation Victor Harlow uncovered evidence suggesting foul play.
Detective Acting Inspector Steve Windsor revealed that police gathered witness statements and expert testimony about the lake’s conditions at the time of Ms. Davidson’s death. The probe, which began “18 months to two years” after the incident, led to Davidson’s arrest in Brisbane on Sunday. He was subsequently charged with murder, fraud, and attempted fraud.
According to Inspector Windsor, the married couple was experiencing relationship issues at the time of the incident. Police allege that Davidson made a life insurance claim and attempted another after his wife’s death. The combined insurance payout exceeded $1 million.
Davidson was refused police bail and appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, where his matter was adjourned until May 19. He was remanded in custody after choosing not to appear in court.
The investigation highlighted that initial appearances can be misleading, with Inspector Windsor praising his team’s diligent work in uncovering the suspicious circumstances surrounding Jacqueline Davidson’s death.
