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Wife of Outback Wrangler star Chris 'Willow' Wilson shares tribute on anniversary of his death in NT helicopter crash

Chris 'Willow' Wilson died in a helicopter crash exactly a year ago. (Supplied)

The widow of crocodile wrangler and Netflix star Chris "Willow" Wilson has shared an emotional tribute to her late husband on the one year anniversary of his death.

Mr Wilson, one of the stars of the Outback Wrangler TV series, was killed last year after the Robinson R44 helicopter he was travelling in crashed during a crocodile egg-collecting mission in the Northern Territory's remote west Arnhem Land. 

The only other occupant of the helicopter, pilot Sebastian Robinson, was seriously injured in the crash. 

In a statement shared with the ABC today, Danielle Wilson said the year since her 34-year-old husband's death "in the most tragic of circumstances" had been the "the longest and shortest" of her family's lives. 

"Time has stood still, yet we have blinked and a year has gone by without our greatest love," she wrote.

"It has been the worst, toughest and most traumatising year.

"Life without you is not the same and the world is a lesser place without you in it."

Danielle Wilson says "time has stood still" since Mr Wilson's death. (Supplied)

Ms Wilson said the past 12 months had seen her family experience "floods of tears, times of reflection, anger, helplessness and overwhelming, all-consuming grief".

"I have grieved for you and the life that you never got to live, as well as what should have been," she said.

"I grieve for our beautiful boys Ted and Austin who have only short, yet sweet, memories of life with their Dad.

"It is beyond cruel that your time with them was so unfairly cut short. It is the absolute worst twist of fate to the most innocent and sweet loving boys, who idolised your every move, smile and word.

"We had a life of love, adventure and family."

Mr Wilson was also the father of two boys, Ted and Austin. (Supplied: Casie Scott)

Ms Wilson said that one year on from Mr Wilson's death, there were outstanding questions about the circumstances around the crash.

"It pains me that without answers we are no closer to closure," she wrote.

"We love you and miss you so much. The boys and I love you to the stars and back, forever and always."

Celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright also shared a tribute to Mr Wilson today on his Instagram page, calling him a "true legend that lifted the energy wherever he was".

Mr Wright is one of three people who have been charged with a string of offences in relation to the crash, alongside helicopter pilot Michael Burbidge and former NT police officer Neil Mellon.

Michael Burbidge, Matt Wright and Neil Mellon are all facing charges over the crash. (ABC News)

The cases are yet to go to trial and none of the accused have been required to enter pleas, but spokesman for Matt Wright has previously said he "strenuously denies" any wrongdoing in relation to the crash.

The circumstances of the crash are also being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), which upgraded the status of its investigation last month.

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