Tragic Death of Criminal Offender in Crocodile-Infested River Sheds Light on Troubled Family History
A man’s life came to a tragic end when he drowned in a crocodile-infested river while trying to escape from the police. Martin Wheeler, 36, had a long history of criminal offenses, including drug convictions and owning dangerous dogs. The incident has revealed a troubled family history that involves the murder of Wheeler’s older sister.
The harrowing events unfolded in Rockhampton, Central Queensland, when Wheeler was being pursued by the police due to an outstanding arrest warrant. Desperately fleeing from law enforcement, he leaped into the Fitzroy River at around 6 PM on Thursday. Despite calling for help, he disappeared underwater. After an intensive three-day search aided by divers and helicopters, Wheeler’s lifeless body was discovered on Saturday at 11 PM.
Although the details of Wheeler’s fresh charges remain undisclosed by the Queensland Police, it has been revealed that he was no stranger to criminal activities. Over the past ten years, he had been summoned to court over 50 times for various offenses, ranging from traffic violations to drug-related incidents and domestic violence.
A source close to the family disclosed that Wheeler, who had been residing in a caravan in his mother’s front yard, had his vehicle confiscated earlier this year due to unpaid fines. Police had been attempting to locate Wheeler for quite some time, but he managed to evade capture until his unfortunate demise.
Wheeler’s tragic death comes as another devastating blow for his family, who had already experienced immense grief when his older sister, Lara Ashcroft, was murdered by her former partner in 2001. Wheeler’s mother had actively campaigned against his killer’s parole, and he had struggled with the trauma caused by his sister’s untimely death throughout his encounters with the legal system.
In 2009, Wheeler made headlines after his dogs viciously attacked a local resident, resulting in severe injuries that required surgery and hospitalization. He was found guilty of failing to ensure his dogs did not attack and was fined $5,000. Prior complaints had been lodged against another one of Wheeler’s dogs, which had fatally mauled a poodle and injured its owner and two children in 2008. These incidents sparked concerns about Wheeler’s ability to care for and control his animals.
Apart from his brushes with the law, Wheeler also faced drug-related charges in 2018, when a police search of his home led to the discovery of marijuana, a bong, and scissors. He was sentenced to 15 months probation, with his lawyer attributing his drug use to coping with the trauma of his sister’s murder and his dogs being impounded.
Martin Wheeler, known as ‘Marty’ to his friends, was a self-employed gardener who operated his own business called Wheeler Tree Services. His cause of death is yet to be determined, but authorities have warned about the presence of crocodiles and bull sharks in the Fitzroy River.
The investigation into Wheeler’s tragic demise is still ongoing, leaving the community mourning the loss of a troubled individual with a complex family history.
