Vivien Harrison, the former wife of Arthur Allan Thomas has died in Australia after a short battle with cancer.
Vivien Harrison was a central figure in the case, in which her husband was accused of murdering Jeanette and Harvey Crewe.
Mr Thomas spent nine years in prison before being pardoned in 1979.
A Royal Commission found the police planted some evidence and witheld other evidence. He was awarded almost $1 million in compensation.
He and Mrs Harrison had separated before he was pardoned and never spoke. They had married in 1964.
Pat Vesey, Mrs Harrison's uncle, says she died on Friday in Queensland, aged 68.
He said she had to wear a curse of being accused of assisting Mr Thomas and never got over the false accusations against Arthur Allan Thomas.
She was initially accused of being the mystery woman who fed the Crewe's baby daughter at the home of the slain pair in Pukekawa.
Mr Vesey believes ongoing stress from the case contributed to her ill-health.
He says Mrs Harrison was diagnosed with cancer only two months ago.
Her ashes will be buried in New Zealand.
