Read the emotional email widow of Outback Wrangler crocodile egg helicopter tragedy sent Netflix over the series: 'Pains me greatly'

By Ashley Nickel and Kevin Airs and Charlotte Karp For Daily Mail Australia 05:24 30 Nov 2022, updated 06:10 30 Nov 2022

Outback Wrangler helicopter crash widow Danielle Wilson has emailed Netflix
She said the streaming service should have removed her husband's hit TV show
Chris Wilson was killed in a fatal helicopter crash on February 28 in NT's Top End
His co-star Matt Wright was charged over the crash and faced court on Tuesday

The heartbroken widow of the Outback Wrangler helicopter crash victim has slammed Netflix for continuing to stream her husband's show despite his unresolved death triggering a huge court case in the Northern Territory.

Danielle Wilson sent a scathing email to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings on Tuesday afternoon after Northern Territory Police issued an arrest warrant for her husband's Outback Wrangler co-star Matt Wright on Monday.

Wright is accused of tampering with the evidence linked to the death of Mrs Wilson's husband Chris 'Willow' Wilson.

Wilson, 34, died on February 28 after the Robinson R44 helicopter he was dangling 30m from collided with trees and the ground in west Arnhem Land.

Wright and Wilson co-starred in hit television series Wild Croc Territory, which was aired on Nine and streamed on Netflix after Wilson's fatal crash.

TRENDING

Britain's first £1million footballer cut his son's out of his will

8.3K viewing now

How to make your house look expensive on a budget

5.5K viewing now

Katie Price's 16th boob job branded 'dangerous' by plastic surgeon

7.6K viewing now

Danielle Wilson (right) sent an email to Netflix on Tuesday afternoon, slamming its treatment of her family following the death of her husband Chris 'Willow' Wilson (left)

Related Articles

Wilson died at the King River with police rushing out to recover his body while the helicopter's pilot, Sebastian Robinson, suffered serious spinal injuries.

Mrs Wilson said Netflix has been unsympathetic to her husband's death, especially since the show depicted him and Wright together despite the unresolved charges.

'I have, to date, let the matter rest under the assumption that the series would cease being shown immediately if, or when, the Northern Territory Police indicated charges would be brought in relation to my husband's death and the subsequent alleged related actions of individuals who appear in the series,' she wrote in an email seen by The Australian.

'I am extremely disappointed to read this week in the media that not only has this not occurred, but that Netflix are also refusing to comment on the future of the series at all.

'It pains me greatly that the series is still being shown despite the serious allegations that have been made against an individual involved in the series.

'To that end, I would request that Netflix immediately cease showing, promoting or advertising the series from its programming schedule until such a time that all Court proceedings in relation to the tragic death of my husband have been finalised.'

Outback Wrangler Matt Wright (centre) has been charged for allegedly tampering with the evidence related to his co-star Mr Wilson's death

Mrs Wilson (left) said she assumed Mr Wilson's (right) show would be pulled from Netflix once charges were laid over his death

Netflix refused to comment on Mrs Wilson's request but instead shared a statement released by Wright's team on Monday, reading: 'Matt strenuously denies any wrongdoing.

'What happened was a tragic accident that took the life of a close mate.

'His immediate concern following the accident was the condition of the two team members on board at the time. The next priority was ensuring the other helicopters and team members at the site weren't at risk and that the location was safe.

'Matt will not be making any further statement but he will be vigorously defending the charges.'

Mr Wilson (above) was killed in a fatal helicopter crash while collecting crocodile eggs in NT's Top End on February 28, 2022

Chris 'Willow' Wilson died when the chopper he was travelling in (pictured) crashed into a tree

Mrs Wilson said she had been 'left in the dark' as to whether the show will air a second season but requested her family be recognised in the footage.

'I was not informed about any details surrounding the launch of the series on Netflix or any of the planned activities to promote it,' she said.

'Despite repeated requests that Chris and my sons Ted and Austin were acknowledged in some way in the series, it is my understanding that this has not occurred.

'I do note that there is a short tribute to Chris which airs only in the final episode of the series.'

NT Police issued a warrant for Wright's arrest on Monday and the television star flew to Darwin on Tuesday to surrender himself.

He was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, unlawfully entering a dwelling, making a false declaration and interfering with witnesses in a criminal investigation or court process by making threats/reprisals.

Wright appeared in court on Wednesday and was granted bail until January 25, 2023.

Wright (above) has been charged for allegedly perverting the course of justice in Mr Wilson's death and was released on bail until January 25, 2023

OUTBACK WRANGLER TIMELINE

FEBRUARY 28, 2022

7:03am Pilot Seb Robinson and egg collector Chris 'Willow' Wilson are on one of three Robinson R44 helicopters which set off from Noonamah on a crocodile egg collection operation on West Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, about 500km from Darwin. Each chopper has one pilot and one egg collector. They fly for 90 minutes to a drum refuelling site in the bush near Mount Borradaile.

8.30am Choppers fly from drum refuelling area to the King River staging area, 20 minutes away. Mr Wilson allegedly shares a picture of the fuel gauge showing it was almost full to their shared WhatsApp group.

Around 9am Choppers split up to go to their various egg collection areas. Two head 12km north-east and collected eggs from nine nests between 0911 and 1014.

10.14am The other two crews realise they've not heard from Robinson and Wilson and chief helicopter pilot - and director of Remote Helicopters Australia - Michael Burbridge, 44, goes to look for them.

10.36am It finds the wreckage of their helicopter, 30km south of South Goulburn Island. Mr Wilson, 34, is dead 40m from the wreckage and Mr Robinson, 28, is seriously hurt with spinal injuries on the ground next to the aircraft. Their chopper has collided with trees and terrain. The second chopper briefly takes off again to make radio contact and raise the alarm.

Outback Wrangler Matt Wright allegedly flies to the crash scene with off-duty police sergeant Neil Mellon and Darwin publican and crocodile farmer Mick Burns. Mr Burns has not been charged with any offences.

12.30pm A CareFlight helicopter arrives at the scene and airlifts the pilot to Maningrida, where he was transferred by plane to Darwin.

APRIL 19, 2022 The Air Transport Safety Bureau release their initial findings into the crash, with the full report expected in the first quarter of 2023. It finds the helicopter's engine stopped prior to impacting the ground. Just 250ml of fuel was in the fuel bladders which were both intact, but the report notes fuel may have drained into a nearby creek as the fuel system was damaged in the crash. There were no other obvious signs of mechanical failure and no fire at the scene.

AUGUST 25, 2022 Father of three Neil Mellon, 47, is arrested shortly after he arrives for work at Darwin police station. Police raid his home and allegedly find illegal wildlife, fireworks and firearms.

AUGUST 26, 2022 Mellon is charged with 31 offences, including attempting to pervert the course of justice and stealing and unlawfully accessing data. His charges also relate to weapons, firearms and wildlife offences, as well as alleged destruction of evidence in relation to a major crash investigation.

Later the same day, his wife Sandi, also a serving NT police officer, posts accusations on Facebook, unrelated to the crash, about a former close female friend which were later deleted.

Mellon is understood to have since resigned from the police after 27 years' service.

SEPTEMBER, 2022 Outback Wrangler and father of four Matt Wright, 43, relocates with his pregnant wife Kaia from Darwin to the Gold Coast in Queensland.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 Helicopter pilot Michael Burbridge - who was first on the scene of the tragedy - is charged in connection with the crash. He is accused of destroying evidence, conspiracy and attempting to pervert the course of justice, and providing a false statement.

NOVEMBER 28, 2022 NT Police issue an arrest warrant for Wright and he's told to present himself at Darwin police station within 48 hours to face at least six serious charges concerning the crash. They relate to his actions before and after the crash and allege he tampered with evidence.

NOVEMBER 29, 2022 Wright checks in for an 8.15am flight from Sydney to Darwin with his wife and their newborn daughter Dusty. He is charged in the afternoon with a string of offences in relation to the chopper crash.

NOVEMBER 30, 2022 Wright appears at Darwin Court on seven charges relating to the crash which he denies and is granted bail until the next court appearance on January 25, 2023.

Wright is charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, unlawfully entering a dwelling, making a false declaration and interfering with witnesses in a criminal investigation or court process by making threats/reprisals.