Inquiry into Folbigg children’s deaths probing genetic mutations continues

A respected doctor has told an inquiry there’s no “genetic clinical evidence” Kathleen Folbigg’s babies died of natural causes related to a rare genetic mutation.

An expert has told an inquiry it’s difficult to determine that a certain genetic mutation was the natural cause of death for two of infamous child killer Kathleen Folbigg’s babies, due to a lack of medical evidence.

Folbigg, 55, was found guilty of three counts of murder and one of manslaughter in 2013 after her babies Patrick, Sarah, Laura and Caleb died in suspicious circumstances between 1989 and 1999, but some scientists believe the deaths were the result of genetics, not murder.

In 2021, the emergence of new expert medical evidence – appearing to show Sarah and Laura Folbigg carried a genetic mutation which could cause sudden death and cardiac problems – led to renewed calls for another probe into the case.

A public inquiry continues into convictions of "baby killer" Kathleen Megan Folbigg.

That genetic mutation is believed to be linked to Long QT Syndrome, which is a heart signalling disorder that can cause fast, chaotic heartbeats or arrhythmias.

Folbigg is serving a 30-year prison term and is not eligible for parole until 2028.

Despite a 2018 public inquiry into her convictions, which reinforced her guilt, Folbigg has consistently denied any wrongdoing,

Former NSW chief justice Tom Bathurst KC is heading the second inquiry into Ms Folbigg’s convictions and is considering whether there is reasonable doubt as to her guilt.

Professor of Medicine and Cardiology at Harvard University, Dr Calum MacRae, told the inquiry on Friday he couldn’t find any “genetic clinical evidence” to support the case that the two girls died from natural causes linked to the potential genetic variant.

He said his thinking was based on the fact the four children did not all share the same genetic mutation, with the two boys showing no signs of having Long QT Syndrome.

Caleb Folbigg

Patrick Folbigg

“I think it’s a possibility (that it is the cause of the girls’ death) but I don’t think any of the evidence suggests it’s a reasonable possibility,” Dr MacRae said.

“It’s an incredibly interesting problem … I believe all of the work that has been done … but at the moment there’s no evidence at this time.”

Mr Bathurst said he understood why Dr MacRae didn’t think there was clinical evidence but questioned if he accepted that “in the absence of any other information it would be … a reasonable possibility of that genetic mutation” causing the deaths of the two girls.

“I think it’s certainly possible,” Dr MacRae replied.

“I’m not saying there’s no rationale for a probable cause.

“It’s very difficult coming into this ... having to suddenly make that case, having never seen any evidence...”

Sarah Folbigg

Laura Folbigg

Dr MacRae explained it was hard to exclude the fact the two boys also died, despite not sharing the same genetic mutation as their two sisters.

He said having a shared cause of death would more likely be possible if there was clear evidence they had the same mutation or a “shared environment”.

Dr McRae conceded his reasoning was similar to the now-discredited ‘Meadow’s Law’, but went on to argue “rare events will occur in clusters very infrequently”.

The inquiry resumes on Tuesday.

Originally published as Inquiry into Folbigg children’s deaths probing genetic mutations continues