Police have seized a tractor from the property of a Queensland man who has been charged with the murder of his wife in what paramedics described as a “farm machinery incident”.
Emergency services arrived at the rural property at Woodhill, south of Brisbane, at 9.15am on Thursday where they found the 41-year-old woman dead.
The Queensland Ambulance Service said the woman’s fatal injuries came after “a farm machinery incident”.
A 44-year-old man has been charged with murder (domestic violence offence) and interfering with a corpse.
Police on Friday confirmed the pair were married and had two teenage children together.
Detective inspector Chris Knight said on Friday the man had made the initial report to emergency services that his wife had died.
Knight alleged there were “some factors” that had led police to believe there “may have been some manipulation of the crime scene”.
“Any potential for domestic violence will form part of our investigation,” Knight said.
“Any history that may or may not exist will be subject to our investigation.”
Police removed two vehicles from the property, a sedan and a farm tractor.
He said the farm was a privately owned family property that had sugar cane and animals on it, along with multiple dams that police planned to search.
Knight said it was “a complex crime scene” as there were multiple structures on the property, a lot of farm equipment and a large stretch of open land with heavy ground cover.
Forensic officers and detectives were photographed at the scene on Thursday examining a tractor that appeared to have been towing a grass slasher.
Knight said about 50 volunteers had assisted police search coordinators as of Friday morning.
Police have spoken to those living in neighbouring houses who live some distance away.
Detectives will also be speaking to friends and family members as part of the investigation, Knight said.
The man has been refused bail and was due to appear in Beenleigh magistrates court on Friday.
Queensland police have urged anyone with information to contact them on Policelink or by calling 131 444.
• In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732.
