Samantha Fraser’s children sue father over her murder
The children of a woman killed by her estranged husband have launched legal action against their dad due to suffering financial loss and psychological injuries. Photo: Facebook
Samantha Fraser’s children are suing their father for psychiatric injuries caused by him after he murdered their mother
Adrian James Basham, 47, is serving a term of life in prison after a jury found him guilty of murdering Ms Fraser at her Phillip Island home in July 2018.
She was due to give evidence in court a week later, saying Basham had repeatedly raped her throughout their 10-year marriage, but he instead broke into her garage and assaulted her before hanging her from the door.
Ms Fraser’s parents and three children filed a claim in the County Court this week seeking damages from Basham.
Trevor Fraser (file image)
Samantha Fraser’s father Trevor and her mother have been caring for her children, the claim says. (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS)
They claim to have suffered “psychiatric injuries” including anxiety and depression which had led to them paying for medical treatment, a statement of claim obtained by AAP reveals.
“As a result of the murder, the first plaintiff, second plaintiff, third plaintiff, fourth plaintiff and fifth plaintiff have each suffered injury loss and damage,” the statement said.
The children, who are aged 11, 13 and 15, are also claiming damages after they “suffered a loss of financial dependency”, the document stated.
The family’s claim noted the children needed care and assistance, which has been provided by their grandparents.
Basham has previously admitted causing the injuries to his estranged wife, but maintained that Ms Fraser took her own life.
He flagged his intention to appeal both his life jail term and his conviction in March 2023, with Victorian Legal Aid obtaining funding to start his application.
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– AAP