Larissa Sant, Tyler James charged: Everything we know about Kiesha Thompson alleged murder
Investigations are continuing after young mum Kiesha Thompson was killed as she walked home from a nearby childcare centre. EVERYTHING WE KNOW
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Investigations are continuing after young mum Kiesha Thompson was killed on Friday morning as she walked home from a nearby childcare centre.
The 23-year-old was hit as she walked home alone from Allamanda Dr, Daisy Hill, when a Toyota Prado mounted the footpath.
This is everything we know so far >>>
What is the timeline of events?
Ms Thompson was killed on July 19 as she walked home alone from a childcare centre.
Police initially thought Ms Thompson’s death was a result of a traffic crash but soon shifted to a homicide focus.
Police ramped up their investigations in the area where Ms Thompson was killed, with a mobile police beat set up next to the daycare centre where she had dropped off her daughter in the minutes before her death.
Detective Inspector Chris Knight appealed to the public to cast their minds back to Wednesday, July 17, in case they saw or have vision of a silver Toyota Prado in the vicinity of Allamanda Dr.
Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant and Tyler Scott William James were charged on Saturday with murder.
■ The Courier-Mail used 3D satellite mapping and details from the ongoing police investigation to breakdown timeline of events.
Who are Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant and Tyler Scott William James?
Detectives have alleged the 4WD was being driven by Ms Thompson’s ex-partner’s new girlfriend, 24-year-old Goodna woman Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant.
Both Sant and Ms Thompson’s ex-partner, Tyler Scott William James, 27, have been charged with murder, with police alleging they came up with the plan to kill the young mother together. They have not entered any pleas.
Sant was arrested on Saturday and her car seized by police following intensive inquiries by detectives.
She was charged with murder (domestic violence), with her matter briefly mentioned in the Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday.
James was arrested later that day and was also charged with murder (domestic violence). He did not appear in person when his case was briefly heard in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Det Insp Knight said police would allege James helped plan Ms Thompson’s murder, while Sant was allegedly alone in the Prado when it struck the mother of his child.
Det Insp Knight said police will allege Ms Thompson and James, who shared one child, had separated months ago.
It was reported that James had posted bitterly about lost love on social media accounts that police have labelled “distressing”.
The accused pair had only been together for five months, it was later revealed.
Who is the victim, Kiesha Thompson?
The dinner that young mum Kiesha Thompson, 23, was meant to eat the night she was allegedly murdered was still sitting in the fridge days later.
She had just walked her daughter to daycare when she was hit by a Toyota Prado on Allamanda Drive at Daisy Hill south of Brisbane.
Her best friend and housemate, Mikayla Mulloy, said she couldn’t bring herself to throw out the dinner that had been prepared earlier.
“I was waiting around, me and my girlfriend had cooked dinner. Her dinner (tacos) is still in the fridge. We can’t bring ourselves to throw it out yet,” she said.
Never did Ms Mulloy think her housemate wouldn’t return home.
Right before Kiesha left to drop her daughter off at childcare, Ms Mulloy remembers she was in a rush to get out of the house.
Ms Thompson said she now felt robbed of all the memories she could have had.
“She was supposed to be my maid of honour when I get married. She was supposed to be the godparents to my kids,” she said.
“I feel devastated.”
Close friends of Ms Thompson called her “a force to be reckoned with” and “the world’s not going to be the same without her”.
Neighbours of Ms Thompson said she was a devoted mother.
“She was welcoming to everyone she always did everything she could to make her feel welcome,” a close friend said.
What has been the police response?
Det Insp Knight said police would allege James helped plan Ms Thompson’s murder, while Sant was allegedly alone in the Prado when it struck the mother of his child.
“We will certainly be alleging he was a participant in that murder,” he said.
“We believe that he was a participant in the planning and preparation of that offence.”
The experienced detective said the case had taken its toll on investigators.
“I’ve been an investigator for more than 30 years, spent a large portion of my career doing homicide … and I can honestly say there are features in this investigation that will stay with me.
“It’s a horrendous crime.”
What has Kiesha Thompson’s family said?
Det Insp Knight said the two arrests were an important “milestone” for detectives but that did not take away from the tragedy of a young woman’s death.
“My colleagues … spent a lot of time yesterday with Kiesha’s family,” he said.
“They are grieving the loss of their niece, their sister. She was a mother.
“The impact (her death) will have on her family is tremendous.
“We don’t lose sight of the fact that (the arrests) … it doesn’t change a great deal in their eyes. They are still without their loved one and nothing anyone can do can change that.
“And that’s the tragedy in this.
“It’s an important milestone in our investigation … but it doesn’t bring Kiesha back.”
A cafe owner near the daycare where Ms Thompson’s daughter attended said the incident was “incredibly shocking” for the community.
Ms Thompson’s family delivered an emotional video message in honour of the young mother on Monday, saying her little girl was the light of her life.
Aunt Amanda Matthias said they were struggling to comprehend what had happened to Ms Thompson.
“Despite the immediate and heroic efforts of the first responders, we sadly lost Kiesha later that day.
“We are deeply grateful for those who worked tirelessly to save her.”
Her brother, Koby Torto said Ms Thompson tried to create the best life for her daughter.
“She had nothing short of a difficult life, but in the past couple of years she worked tirelessly to create the best life for not only her, for her child, who was the absolute light of her life,” Mr Torto said.
Sister Keyara Thompson said they had set up a GoFundMe to help raise Ms Thompson’s daughter.
Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000
Originally published as Larissa Sant, Tyler James charged: Everything we know about Kiesha Thompson alleged murder
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