Two New Age counsellors from Jindalee, who vanished in February and were subsequently the focus of a police search, are now set to face court on severe child sexual abuse charges.
Wolfgang Raven Wildgrace, 58, and Sonya Maria Lindley-Jones, 51, sparked significant concern after they disappeared from their Jindalee home on February 28, 2024. The couple, known for their counselling business, Wildgrace Counselling and Therapies, was last seen driving away in an orange Mitsubishi Triton.
Despite growing fears for their wellbeing, police later located them nearly 1,700km away in Kuranda, near Cairns.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Following an extensive investigation by the Sunshine Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit, the duo had been scrutinised for offences allegedly committed across the north coast region from 2010 to 2013.
Mr Wildgrace faces 32 counts of indecent treatment and one count of rape, while Ms Lindley-Jones is charged with one count of indecent treatment of a child under 16. The allegations pertain to multiple locations, intensifying the gravity of their supposed misconduct.
The couple’s notoriety escalated due to Mr Wildgrace’s involvement in a contentious training camp for the Adelaide Crows in 2018. The camp was intended to foster resilience among players. Still, it drew widespread criticism for its approach, with accusations of cultural insensitivity and psychological distress, notably from former star player Eddie Betts.
Mr Wildgrace and Ms Lindley-Jones were apprehended in Kuranda and have remained in custody since their arrest. They are expected to appear before Cairns Magistrates Court on 24 May 2024 for a committal mention.
They face serious charges that have shocked the community and cast a shadow over their previous professional endeavours in holistic and emotional therapy.
Published 27-April-2024