Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant charged with murder of Kiesha Thompson
The family of a young mum who police allege was “deliberately” run down and killed by a woman say they are struggling to come to terms with their grief.
The family of a young mum who police allege was “deliberately” run down and killed by a woman say they are struggling to come to terms with their grief after the alleged “horrific and senseless act”.
Queensland Police charged Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant, 24, with murder after she allegedly struck 23-year-old Kiesha Thompson while driving a silver Toyota Prado about 9am on Friday.
Police will allege Ms Thompson was struck while she was walking on a footpath on Allamanda Drive in the Logan suburb of Daisy Hill, 24km south of Brisbane.
Ms Thompson was rushed to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition but died in hospital hours later.
Police will allege that the two women knew each other, and that Ms Thompson had just dropped her daughter off at daycare moments before Ms Sant allegedly drove at and struck the young mother.
Ms Sant then allegedly fled the scene.
Family of Ms Thompson released a statement on Monday following the tragic news.
Ms Thompson’s brother, Koby Torto, said his niece was the “light of (Kiesha’s) life” and the family would rally around the young girl following the death of her mother.
“My sister Kiesha had nothing short of a difficult life, but in the past couple years she worked tirelessly to create the best life for not only her but her child, who is the absolute light of her life,” Mr Torto said.
“Her life up to the end was exactly what she wanted but as all good things come, so do bad and she was taken from us.
“I cannot stress enough that her daughter was the absolute light of her life and we’re here to support her throughout her whole life.”
Ms Thompson’s aunt, Amanda Matthias, urged anyone with information about the incident to contact police.
“My niece Kiesha was tragically taken away from us,” she alleged.
“We are deeply grateful for those who worked tirelessly to save her,” Ms Matthias said.
“We plead to anyone who might have information to help us better solve this case, if anyone else is involved please come forward to police.”
Meanwhile, the family plan to set up a GoFundMe to help cover any expenses for Ms Thompson’s daughter.
Keyara Thompson said there were no words for “the pain of losing” her sister.
“We’re struggling with the enormity of her absence in our life,” Ms Thompson said.
“As we are working to rebuild our live and focus on caring for her daughter, we need support.
“In honour of Kiesha, we are starting a GoFundMe page to ensure that her daughter has the best life possible that we can provide her without her mother.
“Any contributions no matter how big or small will make an enormous change to her daughter’s life.”
Ms Sant had her matter briefly mentioned for the first time in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday.
Her solicitor, Thomas Allen, told the court the matter needed to be adjourned to Beenleigh Magistrates Court.
The police prosecutor consented to the matter being adjourned to another jurisdiction.
Ms Sant was remanded into custody and will appear via video link on July 31.
She made no application for bail.
In Queensland, a person charged with murder can only make a bail application in the Supreme Court.
Outside court, Mr Allen told media he had “no comment”.
“We will allege that event was not in fact an accident and that lady who lost her life was in fact targeted by another individual,” Detective Inspector Chris Knight told media on Sunday.
“The young lady who lost her life was a mother, she had dropped her daughter off at daycare.
“It is a gross understatement to say anything other than that family is deeply traumatised.”
Ms Sant was arrested in Ipswich after officers seized a silver Prado on Saturday.
Police are also continuing their appeal for witnesses to come forward, in particular the driver of a bus and its passengers on Allamanda Drive on Friday.