When you recall the trial of Outback Wrangler Matt Wright – who was last Friday found guilty on two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice – several poignant images come to mind.
There’s the Robinson R44 helicopter – crashed and crumpled out in the muddy floodplains with its propellers bent. Then there’s the smiling photo of the young man who died during the ill-fated egg-hunting trip, Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson, a father of two.
But the photo burned into the eyes of those who followed the trial is of Wright and his wife Kaia – a striking former model – arriving at court each day, hand-in-hand.
Kaia was a pillar of strength for her husband during his four-week trial that would eventually find him guilty of lying to police and pressuring hospitalised pilot Sebastian Robinson – now a paraplegic – to falsify flight records.
The jury was unable to reach an agreement on a third charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Wright maintains his innocence and plans to appeal.
But it was during the opening week of the trial at the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory that I first noticed signs that the stress was getting to the Wrights.
Matt Wright seemed paranoid about the media. He would embark on long, roundabout car trips to try to shake off reporters on his tail.
During those early days as the prosecution began its arguments, Wright would leave court seemingly rattled by the case laid out against him – including evidence that had been gathered from covertly recorded phone calls.
The image of Kaia and Matt Wright leaving court hand-in-hand became burned into the eyes of reporters covering his trial for attempting to pervert the course of justice
This photo of a smiling Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson, holding one of the eggs he died trying to retrieve, also became one of the iconic images of the Outback Wrangler trial
As was this image of the Robinson R44 helicopter – crumpled in the muddy floodplains with its propellers bent – that had crashed during a crocodile-egg-collecting trip in Arnhem Land
Matt Wright seemed paranoid about the media. He would embark on long, roundabout car trips to try to shake off reporters on his tail
While they arrived together, at the close of each sitting day, Kaia sought out friends in Darwin without her husband. Our observations indicate Matt was luring the press out of town so his wife could have an evening of peace.
Kaia would typically meet up with a friend – Jade Burbidge, wife of trial witness and pilot Michael Burbidge – and another companion, with the trio often visiting a quiet wine bar in central Darwin.
They’d usually enjoy a few drinks and light snacks before returning to their hotel.
Wright followed a more erratic routine, often driving in loops and switching vehicles.
On one occasion after court, Wright drove a white Toyota LandCruiser Sahara about 15 minutes out of Darwin, before returning briefly to meet with his legal team and Kaia.
Wright, 45, then retraced his route, stopping on the outskirts of Darwin to switch into a Dodge Ram.
The man once dubbed ‘the next Steve Irwin’ then stopped to buy a six-pack of Corona, a pack of cigarettes, and a lighter before continuing further out of town.
Wright was later seen drinking a beer and smoking on the city’s outskirts.
Matt calmed his nerves with Coronas on August 6
While they arrived together, at the close of each sitting day, Kaia sought out friends in Darwin without her husband. Our observations indicate Matt was luring the press out of town so his wife could have an evening of peace
Wright smoked a cigarette out of town while his wife drank with friends at a bar
Leaving court on July 30, Wright, with a cross around his neck, reached out for his wife
As the prosecution began its arguments, Wright would leave court seemingly rattled by the case against him, including evidence that’d been gathered from covertly recorded phone calls
The couple’s routine – with Wright leading the press out of town while Kaia did her best to unwind with friends – was repeated throughout the first week of the trial. It’s unclear if it continued later in proceedings.
Wright had been accused of trying to tamper with evidence in connection with a fatal helicopter crash that killed his co-star and close friend, Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.
Wilson died on February 28, 2022, while suspended in a 30-metre sling beneath a Robinson R44 helicopter during a crocodile egg collection mission, when the aircraft crashed.
The helicopter came down in a paperbark swamp near King River, a remote area in West Arnhem Land, approximately 500 kilometres east of Darwin.
The father-of-two reportedly fell more than five metres to his death.
Dani Wilson, Willow’s widow, attended court daily and listened closely to proceedings. She did not speak to Wright or Kaia, with both parties keeping their distance.
Dani was once close to the Wrights but has remained outside the swirl of speculation and rumour that often surrounds the celebrity crocodile wrangler and his circle. She is now suing Wright in the Federal Court of Australia for millions of dollars, alleging he and his now-liquidated company Helibrook owed her late husband a duty of care.
She is seeking compensation for the income her husband would have earned over his lifetime, along with legal costs and interest on costs.
Dani Wilson, Willow’s widow, attended court daily and listened closely to proceedings. She did not appear to speak to Wright or Kaia, with both parties keeping their distance
Jade Burbidge, wife of witness Michael Burbidge, was seen drinking at a bar with Kaia
Kaia (centre), Jade Burbidge (right) and an unidentified woman (left) were close throughout the trial, often drinking at the same wine bar together
Wright drove this LandCruiser in a wide loop before switching to a Dodge Ram
With the conclusion of the criminal trial, subject to an appeal, and a Federal Court lawsuit under way, Wright’s personal life also now appears to be in upheaval.
Wright and Kaia share two children, Banjo, five, and Dusty, two.
Their once-idyllic lives – often likened to a modern-day Steve and Terri Irwin – were upended by the fatal helicopter crash that killed Wright’s close friend, leaving their multimillion-dollar Northern Territory business empire in limbo.
The couple had significantly capitalised on Wright’s fame as the star of the National Geographic series Outback Wrangler, which aired from 2011 to 2019.
Wright founded the now-defunct helicopter charter company Helibrook and invested in several other ventures jointly run with Kaia.
Since the accident, Wright has lost several lucrative television deals and listed his three-acre Northern Territory property for sale at $1.39million.
Dani with her late-husband Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson, who was killed in February 2022
Wright’s lead role in Outback Wrangler is believed to have earned him upwards of $250,000 per season.
His follow-up Netflix series Wild Croc Territory featured him as both lead star and executive producer, working with his agent Nick Fordham – further boosting his earnings.
However, the first season – which also featured Wilson – was derailed by the fatal helicopter crash.
Despite a request from Wilson’s widow to remove it, Netflix has continued streaming the first season of Wild Croc Territory. A planned second season for 2023 was never released.
Wright previously held endorsement deals with Ariat, Yokohama Tyres and Otis Eyewear. Tourism Australia also removed him from its ‘Friends of Australia’ ambassador program.
Among the Wrights’ ventures was Freshwater Retreat – a five-villa luxury property in Darwin that accommodates up to 18 guests and costs more than $5,000 for a two-night stay.
They also invested in the Top End Safari Camp, south of Darwin, where guests can stay in tents, enjoy airboat rides, and take scenic helicopter flights to spot crocodiles, birds and buffalo.
In addition, they operated Tiwi Island Retreat, a beachfront marine sanctuary on remote Bathurst Island, part of the Tiwi Islands group.
Wright shut down several other ventures under his parent company, Wright Expeditions, including 1300 HELIFISH, 1800 HELIFISH, Helicopter Pub Crawls, and Matt Wright Explore the Wild.
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