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Brendan Luke Stevens committed to trial on ‘failing to provide necessities of life’ relating to earlier Elizabeth Struhs incident

The 60-year-old alleged leader of a small Toowoomba-based religious group has been committed to stand trial for a second charge of failing to provide necessities of life.

Twelve charged with murder over Struhs death

The alleged leader of a Toowoomba-based religious group already committed to trial on a charge of murder arising from the death of eight-year-old girl Elizabeth Struhs has been committed to trial on another charge relating to the same girl.

Brendan Luke Stevens, 60, and 13 other people including Elizabeth’s parents Jason and Kerries Struhs have been committed to stand trial on a charge of murder arising from Elizabeth’s death in January, 2022.

Elizabeth Rose Struhs
Elizabeth Rose Struhs

Police claim the religious group involving three families didn’t believe in medical intervention but in the “healing power of God”.

Elizabeth, a Type 1 diabetic, required regular injections of insulin to survive but police claim her insulin injections had been stopped by her parents on January 3 and she had died at the family home four days later.

Jason and Kerrie Struhs are charged with murder and failing to provide the necessities of life while the other 12 are charged with murder on the grounds they “aided” the couple in the offence by their presence and encouragement and helping with Elizabeth’s care.

Brendan Luke Stevens has been committed to stand trial arising from an earlier incident involving Elizabeth Struhs.
Brendan Luke Stevens has been committed to stand trial arising from an earlier incident involving Elizabeth Struhs.

Brendan Stevens appeared back before Toowoomba Magistrates via video link from the prison on Wednesday for the conclusion of his committal hearing into an earlier incident involving Elizabeth and the Struhs family in 2019.

It was in June 2019 that Elizabeth first fell ill and, without medical intervention, deteriorated.

The girl’s father Jason Struhs, who at that time was not a member of the religious group and did not share their beliefs, found Elizabeth unresponsive and rushed her to Toowoomba Hospital against his wife’s wishes.

Fortunately, despite her gravely ill state, medical staff were able to revive Elizabeth and over a number of weeks in hospital she recovered.

Brendan Stevens was this year charged with failing to provide the necessities of life arising from that episode.

Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs have each been committed to stand trial on a charge of murder and failing to provide the necessities of life arising from the death of their daughter Elizabeth Rose Struhs.
Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs have each been committed to stand trial on a charge of murder and failing to provide the necessities of life arising from the death of their daughter Elizabeth Rose Struhs.

Magistrate Louise Shephard told the court on Wednesday she had considered the evidence which included a series of text messages between Kerrie Struhs and Brendan Stevens between June 23 and July 18, 2019.

Ms Shephard said she was of the opinion Mr Stevens had repeatedly encouraged Kerrie Struhs to pray for Elizabeth’s healing rather than obtain medical help and by such had “aided” in the committing of the offence.

She said she was satisfied there was a prima facie case against Brendan Stevens and committed him to stand trial in Toowoomba District Court at a date to be set.

Asked if he had anything to say or enter any plea, Mr Stevens simply replied: “No”.

He declined to make an application for bail and was remanded in custody.

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-toowoomba/brendan-luke-stevens-committed-to-trial-on-failing-to-provide-necessities-of-life-relating-to-earlier-elizabeth-struhs-incident/news-story/ca987338f30f3c45d57a2cdcd88a39f6