Women killers of 8yo Elizabeth live and work in protective custody

Women members of the Saints religious group convicted of manslaughter over the death of 8-year-old Elizabeth Struhs are housed in a secure protection area together.

Women members of the Saints religious group convicted of manslaughter over the death of 8-year-old Elizabeth Struhs have been working out of the “bulk stores” centre in the jail where they sort out shopping purchases for other prisoners.

The eight women, among 14 people of the religious group convicted over the death of Elizabeth who was deprived insulin in Toowoomba in 2022, have been housed at Brisbane Women’s jail since their arrest.

Officers told The Courier-Mail most of the women live together in a secure protection area and other long-term protection criminals have turned to members of the group for help, during their time inside.

Group members singing.

Jason Struhs being baptised.

Prisoners can get jobs in jail, paying small amounts of money. They can also use the money inside jail to buy items and food from the prison canteen.

“About four of them work in the bulk stores and sewing workshops so no end of interactions throughout the day,” an officer told The Courier-Mail.

“They work in an area that fills internal sales orders to prisoners for things such as chocolates, biscuits, underwear, shampoo and other products they are permitted to purchase weekly.

“They scan and pack the products under supervision of an administration worker.”

Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs.

Elizabeth’s parents Jason and Kerrie Struhs and 12 other members known as the Saints were last week found guilty of her manslaughter in their Toowoomba home in January 2022.

Brendan Luke Stevens, 63, and Elizabeth’s brother Zachary Alan Struhs, 22, were also found guilty of manslaughter.

Other Saints’ members convicted include Brendan’s wife Loretta Mary Stevens, 67, and their children Therese Maria Stevens 37, Sebastian James Stevens, 24, Camellia Claire Stevens, 29, Andrea Louise Stevens, 35, Alexander Francis Stevens, 26, and Acacia Naree Stevens, 32.

Married couple Samantha Emily Schoenfisch, 26, and Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch, 34, and Keita Courtney Martin, 24, who lived with the Stevens family, were also convicted.

The religious group prayed and sang around Elizabeth, who had type 1 diabetes, in the hope that God would raise her.

Police at a Toowoomba home where Elizabeth Struhs was found dead.

Both Jason and Kerrie had previously been prosecuted for failing to provide her the necessities of life after she became seriously ill and was taken to hospital by Jason in 2019.

Kerrie was jailed but Jason, who at the time was an atheist avoided jail time for the 2019 incident by co-operating with investigators. While Kerrie was in jail he converted to religion and became a member of the Saints.

Members of the Saints – who believe in the healing power of god over the use of modern medicine – persuaded and encouraged Jason to stop providing insulin to Elizabeth. Within three weeks of Kerrie being released on parole Elizabeth died, after her insulin was withdrawn, during the school holidays.

Originally published as Women killers of 8yo Elizabeth live and work in protective custody