Tiahleigh Palmer: Police continue to search accused killer Rick Thorburn’s home

UPDATE: Forensic officers have concluded a fourth day of investigation at the Thorburn property, with an excavator expected to return on Monday.

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FORENSIC officers have concluded a fourth day of investigation at the

Thorburn property, with an excavator expected to return on Monday.

EARLIER: Forensic officers have covered the front windows of the home of Tiahleigh Palmer’s accused killer with black plastic today, as brown paper bags were shuttled to and from a police vehicle.

It appears as though forensic officers are examining the inside of the house, south of Brisbane, moving away from yesterday’s backyard excavation of the Chambers Flat property where the slain Logan schoolgirl lived with her foster family.

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Officers were seen removing what appeared to be a chair from the home.

For the fourth day in a row since being released on bail, Tiahleigh’s foster mother Julene Thorburn returned to the home under police guard to feed two horses.

The 54-year-old, who was charged with perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice, drove to the front of the 2ha property at 12.25pm. She left just before 1pm.

Police at the home of Rick Thorburn. Pic Darren England.

There are less than 10 police officers on scene, including two detectives, and an acting inspector.

It is understood the excavator will not return to the 2ha property today, after digging up the yard in an “intensive forensic search” yesterday.

The property of 12-year-old Tiahleigh’s accused killer and foster father Rick Thorburn is under 24-hour police guard.

The schoolgirl’s body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River last November, almost a week after she disappeared. However her backpack and school uniform have never been recovered.

Police remove a chair at the home of Rick Thorburn. Pic Darren England.

Rick Thorburn, 56, has been charged with Tiahleigh’s murder and has been transferred to Arthur Gorrie jail after being treated at Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Thorburn’s partner Julene, 54, and one of his sons, Josh, 20, were released on bail after being charged with perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The couple’s other son, 19-year-old Trent, faces the same charges as well as an additional charge of incest.

Julene Thorburn, wife of Rick Thorburn, arrives at her house to feed her horses. Pic Darren England.

Mrs Thorburn today waited in her car for two minutes, thronged by media, before police let her in through the front gate. She did not speak to media.

Forensic officers have removed chairs and other items of furniture from the home.