‘Heartbroken’ father tried to save son

THE “heartbroken” father of two adult children allegedly murdered by their mother has broken his silence, as The Gold Coast Bulletin can reveal he desperately tried to have his son placed in care before his death.

Mark Crabtree successfully applied for son Jonathan to be placed into adult care last year, only for his ex-wife to appeal against the decision and win custody. Months later the 26year-old was dead.

Maree Crabtree, 51, was charged this week with Jonathan’s murder and that of daughter Erin, 18, in 2012.

She is accused of forcing the children to take prescription medication and portraying their deaths as suicides as she claimed life insurance payouts worth about $1 million.

Crabtree is also charged with fraud offences and with torturing another female relative, 25, for years.

“I loved Erin and Jonathan, of course I do, I’ve always loved them,” Mark Crabtree said outside his Sydney home yesterday. “They’re my kids and I’m heartbroken at the death of my kids. It’s a horrible situation, it’s terrible.”

Mr Crabtree praised Queensland police for “a tremendous job”.

The Gold Coast Bulletin can reveal Mark Crabtree and police held grave fears for Jonathan after his sister’s death in 2012. They supported an application for the office of the Adult Guardians to place Jonathan in care.

However, Crabtree appealed the decision to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and despite evidence at a court hearing from police officers who said they held serious concerns for Jonathan’s welfare, he was returned to his mother just months before his death.

A source close to the investigation said detectives were desperate for Jonathan to be out of his mother’s care.

“The system failed him,” the source said.

Erin’s death was being reviewed by detectives and the state Coroner when Jonathan died last July. His death sparked a renewed probe by police, culminating in Crabtree’s arrest this week. Crabtree’s lawyer says she denies the charges made against her.