The Crabtree family has suffered more than its fair share of tragedy, from a house fire, multiple car accidents and three disabled children who reportedly suffered a range of ailments from autism to brain injuries and cancer.

But when two of the adult children died from drug overdoses years apart, police moved and charged mum Maree Crabtree with murder.

Maree Crabtree was accused of murdering her son Jonathan with a drug‑laced smoothie on July 19, 2017, at the family’s home before making a $125,000 insurance claim. She had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

 
Maree Crabtree was accused of murdering her son Jonathan with a drug‑laced smoothie on July 19, 2017 at the family’s home before making a $125,000 insurance claim. She had pleaded not guilty to the charges. (Nine)
The jury on Monday returned its verdicts of not guilty to all charges of murder, attempt to murder and fraud after deliberating for nearly two-and-a-half days.

Now, for the first time, her ex-husband Mark, the father of the children, is telling his story.

“It still hurts,” Mark Crabtree told A Current Affair.

“He was a big boy, about six-two, six-foot-one,” Mark said as he looked through photos of his son.

There’s no doubt Jonathan was a troubled young man and the court heard he had tried to take his own life.
Now for the first time, Maree’s ex-husband Mark, the father of the children, is telling his story. (Nine)
In 2015, a car accident left Jonathan with a traumatic brain injury. Two years later, when he died, there were questions: Was it an accidental drug overdose, a suicide or did his mother murder him for money and his share of the house?

Jonathan’s father, Mark, married Maree in their early twenties. They lived in Sydney, had three children together before separating when the kids were young.

“Jonathan had a good heart. You know, loved life, loved his friends, loved his sport,” Mark said.

The jury heard that it was Maree who managed Jonathan’s free time and money, granting her adult son a $30-a-week allowance.

Mark said life would have been difficult for his son.

 
There’s no doubt Jonathan was a troubled young man and the court heard he had tried to take his own life. (Nine)
“It would have been, like, very controlling. And if he would have wanted to do something, there would have been a fight,” he said.

In 2015, when Jonathan was 24, he was almost killed in a car accident.

Mark said he fought to see him in hospital.

“After the car accident, he wouldn’t have been easy, I’ll admit that. But it was just too much for her, but she couldn’t let him go,” he said.

At the time, Maree and Jonathan lived together in a brand-new massive house on the Gold Coast, complete with a pool.

It was owned by Jonathan and his sister, despite neither having a full-time job. Police paid regular visits to the house.
Maree has always maintained her innocence. (A Current Affair)
Desperate to give Jonathan a new life free of depression and drugs, Mark applied for guardianship.

“I just loved him really,” he said.

Jonathan chose to stay with Maree. That’s a choice that still haunts Mark.

The jury heard Maree was worried Mark only wanted guardianship of Jonathan so he could access the Gold Coast house.
Jonathan Crabtree. (A Current Affair)
He denies this.

“I never wanted his house. I work full-time. I’ve been in my job for 20 years, I just wanted him to have a good life.”

The star witness in the case was Maree and Mark’s only surviving child, Tara.

Tara Crabtree told the court she saw her mother make a drug-laced smoothie for her brother, and stopped her from helping him as she heard him struggle to breathe during the night.

For her testimony, Tara was granted immunity from prosecution.
The star witness in the case was Maree and Mark’s only surviving child, Tara. (Nine)
“I see Tara as brave,” said Mark.

“I really think she wants to look forward but not look back.”

Maree has always maintained her innocence. She is still accused of fraud charges linked to disability insurance and superannuation payments and will face court later this year.

For Mark Crabtree, the fight for his children isn’t over.

He now feels closest to his son at the home ground of the Helensvale Hornets rugby league team on the Gold Coast, where Jonathan’s ashes were spread.

“That’s what he loved most,” said Mark.

“Playing footy with his friends.”
Maree has always maintained her innocence. (A Current Affair)
You can watch the full interview with Mark at the top of the page.