Why prosecution dropped case against Kerrod James Frahm in son’s snake bite tragedy

A Queensland father accused of manslaughter after his 11-year-old son tragically died from a snake bite has been cleared of the charge. This is why:

Kerrod James Frahm, 32, is charged with manslaughter over the November 2021 death of his son, Tristian, 11, while staying at a friend’s property.Â

A Murgon father who was due to face trial over the tragic death of his son from a snake bite has had the charge against him dropped.

Kerrod James Frahm, 33, was initially charged with manslaughter following the death of his 11-year-old son, Tristian, in November 2021 while they were staying at a friend’s Murgon property.

In November 2023, a committal hearing resulted in Mr Frahm being ordered to stand trial.

However, on August 21, a Department of Justice spokesperson confirmed that the case would not proceed.

A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said the decision to drop the charge was not made by police.

“The decision to discontinue the charge of manslaughter was not made by the Queensland Police Service,” they said.

Kerrod James Frahm, who faced a manslaughter charge after his 11-year-old son tragically died from a snake bite has been cleared of the charge, with the case discontinued by prosecutors.

The Department of Justice said on Wednesday an indictment in the Frahm matter had not been presented to the Brisbane Supreme Court.

“The Director of Prosecutions notified the Supreme Court Registry of its intention to discontinue the case.

“The matter was declared ‘no true bill’ by the registrar.”

A ‘no true bill’ typically signifies that no evidence was presented to support the continuation of the case.

The declaration was made on April 12.

On Thursday, August 22, on seeking further clarity, a spokesperson for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said a lack of evidence made the chance of convicting Mr Frahm unlikely, so the decision was made to not proceed.

“The Crown reviewed all of the admissible evidence and determined that there was no reasonable prospects of securing a conviction in this case,” they said.

Tristian Frahm 11-year-old boy died after he was bitten by a snake while he and his father, Kerrod Frahm, 31, were at a friend’s property on November 20, 2023. – Photo Supplied

Prosecutors had initially alleged Mr Frahm was negligent in seeking medical help after becoming aware that his son may have been bitten by a snake.

Witnesses testified during the committal hearing that people on the property checked Tristian for a snake bite but couldn’t find anything. One witness said Tristian “seemed perfectly fine”.

Tragically, Tristian was found lifeless by his father the following morning.

The South Burnett Times has reached out to Mr Frahm.