Tribute: Community mourns Tayla and baby Murphy after alleged Rockhampton murders
A flower memorial where young mother Tayla and her tiny baby Murphy were allegedly murdered is growing as a community mourns a tragedy that “didn’t have to happen”. NEW PHOTOS, VIDEO.
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From grief-stricken loved ones to strangers standing together in community solidarity, mourners from across Rockhampton and beyond are honouring Tayla and her 11-week-old daughter Murphy Margaret.
The home where the 30-year-old mother and tiny baby were allegedly murdered by husband and father Matt Cox, has become a shrine where people can lay flowers and quietly reflect on the enormity of the tragedy.
Toys including teddies and a pink bunny which appears to have a note written by a child on its foot have been placed in a tree on the front lawn.
Speaking to this publication with flowers in hand on Saturday, Rockhampton councillor Donna Kirkland said while she didn’t personally know Tayla or Murphy, “tragedies like this touch everybody because all of us have had some grief”.
“This tragedy that has happened here just highlights how vulnerable life is,” she said.
Online images of a fairytale wedding and best friends introducing their newborns to each other are now haunting moments captured before the deaths of the beloved mother and child.
It’s understood Tayla and Matt, who faced court in Brisbane on Friday and was remanded in custody, met while working at Flight Centre and were married in 2021.
A photo of the couple sharing a loving kiss surrounded by celebratory confetti at their wedding still visible on Tayla’s Facebook page.
More recently, photos on the same page shared by best friend Rebecca Horgan show her baby boy meeting little Murphy virtually in May.
“Our besties had a baby and we are so excited and happy for you both! Tommy meeting his new little bestie Murphy for the time. You both are going to be running around together in no time. We cannot wait to meet you beautiful girl,” she shared.
Since Tayla and little Murphy were discovered amid a bloody backdrop on Thursday, tributes have flowed from those closest to her as well as community leaders, politicians and the principal of the school she once attended.
In the hours following the shock news, friends remembered Tayla as a karaoke queen with an outgoing personality and hilarious sense of humour.
“My favourite memories with Tayla were singing karaoke. Oh the days. Used to call her the Rockhampton Miley Cyrus with the voice. May they both rest in peace,” Rachel Titmarsh wrote on social media
Celest Fairall wrote Tayla was always “ready to have an amazing time, make memories and the voice, very memorable moments with Tayla”.
“I’m truly in disbelief over this. Think there would be a few people in the Rocky community that would (not) be affected by this. She was definitely one of a kind.”
Ileana Aisthorpe said her thoughts were with Tayla’s “wonderful family”.
“Tayla will always be remembered for her outgoing personality and beautiful sense of humour.”
Tayla, whose maiden name was Black, completed her schooling as a boarder at St Ursula’s College Yeppoon.
Friend Kaitlyn Brandt, who went to St Ursula’s said she would always remember Tayla’s “loud, distinctive laugh”.
“It was infectious,” she said.
“Tayla was one of a kind.”
Ms Brandt said life for Tayla and baby Murphy had only just begun.
“Tayla will be sorely missed,” she said. “My condolences to their family in such a heartbreaking time.”
St Ursulas College Principal Deborah Ryan said the college community was “incredibly saddened to learn of the death of past student, Tayla Black, and her infant daughter, Murphy”.
“Tayla was a member of our graduating class of 2010.
“Tayla is fondly remembered for her vivacious spirit and positive attitude.
“During her time at the College, Tayla was a beacon of hope, joy, and love, and had such a positive impact on others in the broader community.
“Tayla was a competent, capable young woman who embraced opportunities with joy and enthusiasm. We extend our thoughts and prayers to Tayla and Murphy’s family and friends.
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.”
Speaking to reporters in Rockhampton on Friday, the city’s mayor Tony Williams said “I stand here today with a heavy heart … I’ve got a personal relationship with the family and I know how hard (it) is for the family at this time.
“My thoughts are prayers are with the community … it’s a difficult time and one where I’d like to offer a listening ear or conversation at any time.”
A post from the Australian Femicide Watch page, created by News Corp’s Sherele Moody, which carried the caption “she matters”, was widely shared across social media.
According to AFW, Tayla is the 43rd Australian woman and Murphy Margaret the 10th child killed in Australia this year.
Shedding tears, Keppel MP Brittany Lauga, who is herself a mother to a young child, told reporters in Rockhampton on Friday she was “shocked and horrified about what has happened”.
“Tayla and her daughter Murphy have been taken from this earth far too soon in a horrific tragedy … something that didn’t have to happen and could have been prevented,” she said
“So many of us now are thinking ‘what could we have done to save these girls’ lives?’’
Describing the collective grief in the Central Queensland community, Ms Lauga said she was also hearing there were feelings of guilt from “people who don’t need to feel guilty”.
With her voice cracking, she said “we can’t save everyone, but we try really hard … it’s just awful”.
Earlier, she had said “a man doesn’t commit an alleged crime like this. It’s inhuman; heinous”.
“To Tayla’s friends and family, my sincere condolences for your loss. It will take a long time for the pain of this terrible tragedy to heal.”
Tayla and Matthew had met around 2016.
She moved to Geelong, Victoria, where Matthew was from, and the couple were married in May 2021.
They returned to Rockhampton where Matthew’s father Denis, who together with Matt’s mother released a statement expressing their shock and sadness on Thursday, is a prominent businessman.
The couple purchased their Park Avenue home in November 2022 and welcomed baby Murphy earlier this year.
Police believe Mr Cox allegedly murdered his wife and baby on the afternoon of August 8 and flew out of Rockhampton to Brisbane that night.
He stayed at an apartment in Constance St, Fortitude Valley, and attended the Valley Police Station on the morning of August 10, two days later, and handed himself in.
Rockhampton police immediately raced to the Park Avenue home where they made the horrific discovery.
Mr Cox was employed at the Rockhampton Southern Cross Austereo office as a TV account manager.
In a statement, the company said on Friday, “SCA is deeply saddened by these events and respecting the privacy of all involved, we will not be commenting further”.
*Tayla will be remembered by her maiden name of Black at the request of her family.
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