Cops suspect foul play

Friend shares hunch over killer’s identity

A CLOSE friend of a Bentley Park woman who is believed to have died in suspicious circumstances has told police who he thinks may be responsible.

China Crawford’s body was found inside her Herald St residence by a concerned work colleague on Wednesday afternoon.

The significant injuries the 32-year-old suffered have led police to believe she may have met with foul play.

Homicide, forensic and scientific officers have been flown in from Brisbane to assist Cairns officers with the investigation, codenamed Papa Sage, and the home is expected to remain a crime scene until at least later today.

Ms Crawford’s close friend Matt Bond said he was still in shock over the traffic controller’s death.

He did not want to reveal publicly who he thought could be involved, but said he had spoken with police about a possible suspect.

Mr Bond said he and Ms Crawford have been good friends for about six years after meeting at a party and she had also been close to his brother.

He echoed the sentiment of tributes that have poured in for the former Cairns State High School student about her happy smile and kind nature.

“We were always there for her and she was always there for us,” he said.

“She was loyal to the people she was closest to. She was like the joker, you could not get the smile off her face.

“She was definitely someone you wouldn’t forget; she would grab the spotlight.”

Mr Bond said Ms Crawford was also incredibly caring, had a tight bond with her younger brother, and even though she lost her mother when she was very young, she took care of her stepfather for many years.

He said concerns raised by her search for a self-defence class several years ago were unfounded as she had just been looking for a fitness activity rather than needing to protect herself from anyone.

“She hated exercise and wanted a fun way of doing it. She went out and bought pink boxing gloves, but never found a class,” he recalled.

Detective Inspector Geoff Marsh praised the assistance of family and friends and reissued the call for public information.

He said they were interested in anyone who may have seen activity at the house on Monday from about 5pm.

“This still remains a highly suspicious death,” he said.

“Detectives would particularly like anyone who has an in-car dash camera to review their footage and report any suspicious activity including vehicles parked near the location during those times.”