Graeme Davidson, 55, from Glasgow, was on a day trip with his wife of 26 years and mother-of-three Jacqueline Davidson when Jacqueline died in what was initially thought to be a kayaking accident in a lake near Brisbane, Australia
(Image: Daily Record)
A British serviceman has been charged with murder five years after his wife drowned while kayaking in Australia. Prosecutors believe army major Graeme Davidson killed Jacqueline Davidson, his wife of 26 years, to secure her £500,000 life insurance before he flew out to Thailand and married a local woman.
Jacqueline’s death on Lake Samsonvale near Brisbane was initially treated as a tragic accident, but suspicions were raised over the following year and cops re-opened the case.
Davidson, 55, who is originally from Glasgow, was picked up by police on Monday after returning to Australia for “family reasons”. Cops raided the home he was staying in, where they found him in the lounge sleeping on a camp-bed. The 55-year-old has now been charged with the mother-of-three’s murder, domestic violence, fraud and attempted fraud of £500k. The arrest is the culmination of a “complex and lengthy” investigation, which involved police speaking to a number of experts about conditions on the day of the 54-year-old’s death, including the weather at the time.
Detective Acting Inspector Steve Windsor from the Queensland Police said: “The cause of death was drowning but it was a case of talking to witnesses and gaining further evidence that the matter appeared suspicious.
“Incidents are not always what they initially seem, so, I thank the detectives for their diligent work in this lengthy and arduous investigation.
“This is also an important reminder to the community to report any suspicious circumstances to police as you see them.”
He confirmed the fraud charge which Davidson faces concerns money which was allegedly obtained from life insurance claims against his wife’s death.
The detective added: “The combined life insurance was in excess of $1m.”
Davidson was refused police bail during a brief hearing at Brisbane Magistrates’ Court although he was not present himself. He is due to appear in person later this month.
Mrs Davidson, a beautician, died on Friday, November 27, 2020. Onlookers pulled her to the shore after she was seen in difficulties in the water. They attempted to carry out CPR but was pronounced dead at the scene.
It was initially thought to be a tragic accident and Queensland Police said at the time that there were not any suspicious circumstances.
In April 2021, Davidson left Australia and relocated to the Thai resort of Hua Hin which is situated 200km south of Bangkok. The following year he married a young Thai girl, Pick Pattraporn.
Photos taken at the celebration show Davidson dressed in a kilt and wearing an array of medals.
Davidson – who was a captain in the British Army before moving to Australia, with more than 30 years of military service – was active in Hua Hin’s expat community.
Locals said he was a prominent figure in the local Veterans Remembrance Day.
His son, Hamish later moved to Thailand to be with his father whilst his sister, Robyn, recently visited Davidson there too.
Davidson served 22 years in the British Army before transferring to the Australian Army and was based in HQ 1 Division, Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane.