Rick Thorburn found dead: Killer of Tiahleigh Palmer takes own life in jail cell
Child murderer Rick Thorburn, who killed foster child Tiahleigh Palmer, has been found dead in his prison cell after taking his own life.
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Child murderer Rick Thorburn has been found dead in his prison cell after taking his own life.
Thorburn was found dead in his cell in Woodford on Friday.
It followed multiple suicide attempts since being convicted of schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer’s murder.
The Courier-Mail understands Thorburn was moved from Wolston jail near Brisbane to Woodford after an incident with other prisoners.
It’s understood he was on regular observations at the Woodford jail.
Thorburn murdered his 12-year-old foster child Tiahleigh Palmer in 2015 and was sentenced to life for the sickening crime.
After killing her — to cover up his son Trent having sex with her — Thorburn dumped Tiahleigh’s body on a riverbank and with his family lied to investigators about what happened.
After his arrest he was on suicide watch for months.
He was later convicted of 13 child sex offences in unrelated incidents involving two young girls.
The child murderer and sex offender was previously found unresponsive in his cell in February 2024 and he also tried to take his life in August 2023 and in 2020.
A Queensland Corrective Services spokeswoman confirmed the death of Thorburn.
“The 64-year-old man was accommodated in a single cell and was found unresponsive at approximately 10pm,” a spokeswoman said
“Responding officers called QAS and attempted to revive the man however their efforts were unsuccessful.
“The incident has been reported to police and QCS will assist with their investigation.
“All deaths in custody in Queensland are referred to the Coroner.
“Responding officers are being supported by management and are thanked for their efforts to revive the man.”
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