Man charged with killing wife and 11-week-old baby was mental health inpatient

A year before the alleged murders, Matthew Cox was admitted for psychiatric treatment at Rockhampton Hospital.

A year before Tayla Cox and her 11-week-old baby Murphy Margaret were discovered dead in their Rockhampton home, Tayla’s husband Matthew Cox was an inpatient at Rockhampton Hospital’s mental health facility.

“I understand about a year ago he did seek treatment from the Rockhampton Hospital,” Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman told reporters on Saturday.

When asked to confirm if he’d received treatment, the minister replied, “yes, absolutely. He was an inpatient there”.

On Thursday, Cox was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife and daughter after he tipped off Fortitude Valley police that two bodies were in the Bean Street home in Rockhampton’s Park Avenue suburb.

Police believe the 30-year-old mum and her infant daughter were allegedly killed on August 8, two days before their bodies were found.

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Tayla Cox and her 11-week-old baby Murphy Margaret were found dead in a Rockhampton home. Husband Matthew Cox has been charged with murder. Photo: supplied

Tributes flow for allegedly slain mum and baby

The minister said the news of Tayla and Murphy’s deaths was “incredibly distressing and saddening”.

“This individual has been charged with murder, there will obviously be a criminal justice process and then a coronial investigation.

“My thoughts and sympathies are with the family of Tayla and Murphy.”

Video footage by 7News shows mourners leaving flowers and toys just inside the police tape outside the house where Tayla and Murphy died.

“Tayla and baby Murphy,” one note read. “I’m sorry. Rest now, the pain is gone. So many will miss you.”

Cox’s parents also shared a statement with the Courier-Mailin the wake of the horrific news.

“We have lost a beautiful daughter-in-law Tayla but also our much-loved granddaughter Murphy,” Denis Cox and Linda Lind wrote.

“At this stage we have very few other details and are in an absolute state of shock.

“We ask that the media respect our privacy while we grieve and try and process what has occurred.”

Flowers and toys were left at the scene where a mum and baby were allegedly murdered by Matthew Cox.

Husband charged with murder of wife and infant daughter

According to Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Superintendent Darrin Shadlow, Cox flew from Rockhampton to Brisbane on Tuesday evening after allegedly killing his wife and child.

He presented himself to Fortitude Valley police station on Thursday morning, which prompted police to visit the Bean Street, Rockhampton house for a welfare check.

The bodies of Tayla and Murphy were found at the home.

“It was quite a confronting scene… two deceased people to start with, a deceased infant is always confronting,” Superintendent Shadlow said.

Cox was charged with two counts of murder (domestic violence offences).

Originally published as Man charged with killing wife and 11-week-old baby was mental health inpatient