Jacqueline Davidson’s death at Lake Samsonvale, north of Brisbane, in November 2020 was initially considered an accidental drowning. Photograph: Jono Searle/AAPView image in fullscreenJacqueline Davidson’s death at Lake Samsonvale, north of Brisbane, in November 2020 was initially considered an accidental drowning. Photograph: Jono Searle/AAPBrisbaneMan charged with murder over wife’s Queensland kayak drowning tried to claim $1m insurance, police allegeGraeme Davidson lived in Thailand for a ‘number of years’ and was arrested and charged with murder, fraud and attempted fraud while visiting Brisbane
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Australian Associated PressMon 5 May 2025 10.13 BSTLast modified on Mon 5 May 2025 10.32 BSTShareYears after his wife died while kayaking, a man has been accused of murder and trying to claim more than $1m in life insurance.Graeme Davidson, 55, who now lives in Thailand, was charged over the death of his wife, Jacqueline.Jacqueline Davidson, 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 “18 months to two years” after her death.“Police are alleging the male person was involved in the drowning in the lake,” Det acting Insp Steve Windsor told reporters on Monday.Under Operation Victor Harlow, detectives gathered witness and expert statements including information about the lake’s conditions at the time of Jacqueline Davidson’s death.The “complex and lengthy” probe led to Graeme Davidson being charged with murder, fraud and attempted fraud after his arrest in Brisbane on Sunday.“The cause of death was drowning but it was a case of talking to witnesses and gaining further evidence that the matter appeared suspicious,” Windsor said.“Incidents are not always what they initially seem, so I thank the detectives for their diligent work in this lengthy and arduous investigation.”Windsor said the married couple were living together but police would allege there was “some form of breakdown in the relationship” at the time of Jacqueline Davidson’s death.He said police would allege Graeme Davidson made a life insurance claim and attempted to make another after his wife’s death, confirming they related to the fraud charges.skip past newsletter promotionSign up to Breaking News AustraliaFree newsletterGet the most important news as it breaksEnter your email address Sign upPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotion“The combined life insurance was in excess of $1m,” IWindsor said.“They were quite extensive.”He said Graeme Davidson had been living in Thailand for a “number of years”, prompting police to discuss extradition.But Windsor said police chose “not to go down that path” and instead charged Graeme Davidson when he visited Brisbane for family reasons.Graeme 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 19 May.Explore more on these topicsBrisbaneQueenslandnewsShareReuse this content
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