Funeral set for Tayla Black, baby Murphy as new allegations emerge

As their grief-stricken family prepares to farewell two “precious, treasured” lives, new details on the alleged murders of Tayla Black and her 11-week-old baby Murphy can be revealed.

Flowers and tributes outside the home where Tayla Black and her 11-week-old daughter Murphy were found.

The heartbroken parents of Tayla Black had just left the country for a dream holiday when their daughter and 11-week-old grandchild were allegedly murdered by their son-in-law, it can be revealed.

Now, they are preparing for a double funeral – devastating details of which were confirmed on Saturday.

This publication can also confirm Anmaree and Gerry Black had been living with their daughter and her husband Matt Cox before the young newlyweds bought their own place in December last year.

It’s understood the parents were extremely close with their daughter and visited most days, especially in the 11 weeks following the arrival of their first and only granddaughter Murphy Margaret.

It’s also understood Mr Black attended a local swap meet with Tayla and Murphy as recently as Saturday, August 5.

Sometime between that weekend event and Tuesday, August 8, when police allege Matt Cox fatally stabbed his wife and tiny child, the Black parents had boarded a plane for an overseas holiday.

They were still out of the country when they received the devastating call from authorities, confirming the bodies of Tayla and Murphy had been found inside their Rockhampton home and their son-in-law was in police custody.

Police at the scene where Tayla Black and baby were found dead in a house on Bean Street. Photo – Steve Vit

While the parents are yet to speak publicly, a heart wrenching tribute has now been released with details of the funeral service, which is being organised by Tucker and Nankivell Funeral Directors and will be held on Friday, August 25 at the Rockhampton Baptist Church on Norman Rd.

“Precious and adored Daughter and Granddaughter of Gerry and Anmaree Black. Treasured and deeply loved Granddaughter and Great-Granddaughter of Margaret and Bob (dec) Edwards,” the funeral notice reads.

Tayla Black worked at Campbell Construction Co.

“Loving Sister, Aunt, Niece, Cousin and friend. Loved by many.

“The love shared between our beautiful Tayla and gorgeous Murphy Margaret was a radiant light that warmed our hearts and will forever illuminate our memories.”

The service will begin at 11am.

Posting the funeral notice on Facebook, Tayla’s sister Cassie wrote: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever be sharing a post such as this and it breaks my heart every minute of every day … My littlest sister and my littlest niece will remain in my heart forever”.

Baby Murphy Margaret.

Tributes also continue to grow outside the home where teddies and flowers have replaced crime tape.

While the charming facade in quiet Bean St hides any sign of the horror that unfolded inside, soft plush toys, notes and flowers gathered around mailbox speak to the deep sadness still felt in the local community.

One tribute note, partially obscured, reads: “(we) love you both so much … Tayla you are (an) amazing, strong, talented, beautiful woman we are so (proud) of you. Murphy Margaret you … just light. You are both (in our hearts) forever. Love Family”.

Tributes of flowers and toys sit at the mailbox of the Bean St in Rockhampton home where Tayla and baby Murphy lived.

Another features three-primary school aged girls in uniform smiling for the camera and the words (also partially obscured) “Dearest Tayla. I have so many amazing memories from growing up together. You were an amazing friend with the biggest smile. Murphy was so lucky to have you as her Mummy” and “Tayla, you will forever be in my memories as the funny, class-clown, and the kind caring person you were. Thank you for all the awesome memories I will forever cherish from primary and high school. You will never be forgotten, and the world feels emptier and (sad) without you and your baby Murphy Margaret in it.”

Tributes left by family, friends and members of the community at the house where Tayla Black and baby Murphy Margaret lived before allegedly murdered on August 8, 2023.

Police have confirmed there was no history of domestic violence before the tragic deaths.

The only public indicator of any personal struggle came when Queensland’s health minister Shannon Fentiman confirmed last week Mr Cox had sought help from the local hospital’s mental health unit.

Asked again about this while attending the Bush Summit in Rockhampton on Friday, Ms Fentiman said the contact with mental health services was “about a year ago” and would not be drawn on further details.

She said support was available for hospital staff affected by the tragedy.

The Cox name has long been well-regarded in the Central Queensland Community since patriarch Denis moved from Geelong in Victoria where he had worked in the racing industry.

He tookon the role as Chief Executive Officer of the Rockhampton Jockey Club in 2009 and, after three years based at Callaghan Park Racecourse, then 48-year-old Mr Cox was appointed CEO of Beef Australia in late 2012.

Tributes left by family, friends and members of the community at the house where Tayla Black and baby Murphy Margaret lived before allegedly murdered on August 8, 2023.

Mr Cox later went on to become part owner and general manager of Rockhampton’s iconic Great Western Hotel and was there during the difficult period of the global coronavirus pandemic.

In more recent times, Mr Cox has worked in the hospitality industry on Great Keppel Island, off the coast of Yeppoon and during his time living and working on the island has become renowned for his regular promotion of the popular tourism destination through his social media posts.

The decision to make Rockhampton his home meant that one day his sleek son Matt would come across bubbly St Ursula’s graduate Tayla Black.

The pair met at Rockhampton Flight Centre in 2013.

By 2015 romance had blossomed, and they had to separate their work and home life, so Tayla moved to the Allenstown store.

While they then spent several years in Victoria, the couple, who were married in 2021, returned to Rockhampton in April 2022, living with Tayla’s parents until purchasing their own home in December.

The now haunting wedding day image can still be viewed on Tayla’s Facebook page along with another of her, heavily pregnant, with Matt’s arm caressing her swollen stomach and the words “we can’t wait to meet you” beside love heart and pink flower emojis.

Matt and Tayla posed for a pregnancy photo at Great Keppel Island earlier this year.

Underneath the image, taken at Great Keppel Island Hideaway beach resort in February this year, are dozens of congratulations messages and well wishes from loved ones anticipating the new arrival and telling Tayla she is “glowing” and “gorgeous”.

One comment reads: “What a glorious photo! Perfect backdrop for a lovely couple”.

In the past week, tributes expressing heartbreak, shock and questioning how the tragedy could have happened have flowed under the same image.

“RIP mama and bubs, so very heart broken for you both … May your spirits live peacefully together forever,” one post reads while another commenter writes “Am feeling for you Anmaree and family … can’t imagine the pain you are all going through at this terrible time … your … daughter … and only granddaughter … biggest love and hugs to you all”.

Tributes left by family, friends and members of the community at the house where Tayla and baby Murphy Margaret lived before allegedly murdered on August 8, 2023.

Tayla’s Facebook profile also carries a litany of other seemingly happy snaps.

In the “intro” section, where profile authors are asked to write something about themselves, hers simply reads: “Always be kind”.

Matt Cox is charged with two counts of murder and remains in custody awaiting his next court appearance this Monday, August 21.

TIMELINE

2010

Tayla graduates from St Ursula’s College in Yeppoon

2013

Tayla and Matt meet at Rockhampton Flight Centre

2015

Tayla moves to Allenstown Flight Centre to separate their personal lives from their work lives

2018

November: Matt and Tayla are engaged

2021

May: Matt and Tayla are married

2022

April: Matt and Tayla move back to Rockhampton after living in Victoria

(unknown date) Matt attends the Rockhampton Hospital mental health unit

November: The couple purchase the Park Avenue home that becomes the scene of the tragedy

2023

May: Tayla and Matt’s baby daughter Murphy Margaret is born

August 10: Matt attends Fortitude Valley Police Station and allegedly provides information which leads police to his Bean St, Park Avenue home

August 10: Police discover Tayla and Murphy and charge Mr Cox with two counts of murder. They allege the two were killed on Tuesday, August 8.

August 11: Mr Cox’s matter is mentioned in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, but he does not appear and cannot apply for bail because of the serious nature of the charges

August 21: Mr Cox is set to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court for committal mention

August 25: Tayla and baby Murphy are to be laid to rest at the Rockhampton Baptist Church

*Tayla will be remembered by her maiden name of Black at the request of her family.

Originally published as Funeral set for Tayla Black, baby Murphy as new allegations emerge