An American diver has been charged with murdering his wife while diving off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia during the couple's honeymoon.
An American diver has been charged with murdering his wife while diving off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia during the couple's honeymoon.
Christina Mae Watson, 26, a novice diver from Birmingham, Alabama drowned a few minutes into a dive on a wreck near Townsville in north Queensland. A coroner's inquest heard how her husband David Gabriel Watson, 31, a qualified rescue diver, headed to the surface instead of helping his new wife.
A photograph was inadvertently taken of her lying motionless on the sea floor by another diver in the group during the dive in October 2003. Counsel assisting coroner, John Tate, said police believed there was sufficient evidence for Watson, 31, to stand trial for the murder.
Evidence presented to the inquest concluded that there was no obvious medical reason for Mrs Watson's death and her diving equipment was operating properly. Police told the court they would allege Mr Watson turned off his wife's air until she died, before turning it back on and leaving her to sink.
Mr Watson has always maintained he had 'rocketed to the top' of the surface to raise the alarm. Steve Zillman, who is representing Mr Watson, said the evidence was circumstantial, and that there was no motive for murder.
A warrant was issued for Mr Watson's arrest following the inquest. He will be extradited from America to face the charges.
