‘My littlest sister and my littlest niece will be in my heart forever’

Tributes have flowed in the days leading up to the funeral service for allegedly murdered mum Tayla Cox and her 11-week-old daughter Murphy, as a timeline of their final hours emerges.  

In five days, on Friday August 25, Tayla Cox’s family will bury her and her 11-week-old daughter, Murphy Margaret.

The 30-year-old mum and her infant daughter were allegedly stabbed to death by Tayla’s husband Matthew Cox on August 8.

Tayla’s parents, Anmaree and Gerry Black had been living with the couple until Tayla and Matthew bought their own home in December last year, and it’s understood that the doting grandparents were close with their daughter and regularly visited.

But when Matthew allegedly killed his wife and daughter, Tayla’s parents were on an overseas holiday.

They received the devastating news while they were still out of the country.

Although Tayla’s parents haven’t yet spoken of their loss, tributes from friends and family have flowed in the lead-up to the funeral.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever be sharing a post such as this and it breaks my heart every minute of every day … My littlest sister and my littlest niece will remain in my heart forever,” Tayla’s sister Cassie posted on Facebook.

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Outside the Bean Street home in Rockhampton, flowers, soft toys and messages to Tayla Cox and Murphy Margaret lie outside the police tape. Photo: Courier-Mail

Funeral for allegedly slain mum and baby

Tayla and Murphy’s service will begin at 11am on August 25.

“Loving Sister, Aunt, Niece, Cousin and friend. Loved by many,” the funeral announcement reads.

“The love shared between our beautiful Tayla and gorgeous Murphy Margaret was a radiant light that warmed our hearts and will forever illuminate our memories.”

Timeline emerges of Tayla Cox’s final days

Police believe that on Tuesday, August 8 Matthew Cox allegedly stabbed his wife and infant daughter to death in their Bean Street, Rockhampton home.

Later that day he boarded a plane to Brisbane, and on Thursday, he turned himself in to Fortitude Valley police, directing authorities to the Rockhampton house where the bodies were discovered.

In the days leading up to Tayla and Murphy’s death, the pair had spent time with Tayla’s parents Anmaree and Gerry. On Saturday August 5, they attended a swap meet together.

Tayla Cox and her parents were extremely close. Photo: Facebook

The couple boarded a flight for an overseas holiday in the days between August 5 and August 8 when police allege Matthew killed his family.

Their holiday was tragically cut short when they received the heartbreaking call that their daughter and only granddaughter had been found dead, and that their son-in-law was in police custody.

Police confirmed to the Courier-Mail that there was no history of domestic violence in the Cox family, but it’s understood that a year ago, Matthew Cox was an inpatient at the mental health unit at the local hospital.

Matthew Cox has been charged with two counts of murder. He has been remanded in custody and will appear in court on Monday August 21.  

Originally published as ‘My littlest sister and my littlest niece will be in my heart forever’