Elizabeth Struhs murder: Girl’s father Jason Richard Struhs to stand trial in Toowoomba Supreme Court for murder, failing to supply the necessities of life

A Toowoomba father, charged over the death of his eight-year-old daughter by allegedly failing to give her the insulin she needed to live, will stand trial for murder.

Jason Struhs.

A Toowoomba man accused of killing his own daughter by failing to provide her with the insulin she needed to live, instead opting to prayer, will stand trial charged with the girl’s murder.

Jason Richard Struhs appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on October 11 where magistrate Clare Kelly made her decision on whether the 50-year-old should stand trial for charges of murder, torture and failure to provide the necessities of life.

The court was told Mr Struhs’ daughter Elizabeth Rose Struhs died on January 7, 2022, with the eight-year-old a Type 1 diabetic who was diagnosed in 2019.

Police allege that Mr Struhs and his wife Kerrie along with 12 other people members of an ad hoc religious group that believed in the healing power of god and shunned medical intervention in human life.

According to the police brief of evidence, members of the religious group were at the Struhs family home in Rangeville when the group, including Mr Struhs, allegedly ceased to provide the insulin Elizabeth needed to live on Monday, and in the following four days the girl died as a result of diabetic ketoacidosis.

As part of the committal hearing Ms Kelly said police tendered a large number of statements and exhibits, which included evidence from police investigators, medical professionals and forensic pathologists, as well as a record of interview from Mr Struhs who went into detail the processes and decisions he took before he allegedly stopped providing the lifesaving medication to his daughter.

Elizabeth Rose Struhs

Police prosecutor Sergeant Alister Windsor submitted that the testimony of the medical professionals showed that Mr Struhs was aware of his daughter’s condition and the severity of it, and what the consequences would be if insulin was withheld from her.

Sergeant Windsor said the alleged refusal to provide the insulin directly resulted in Elizabeth’s death, as there was no other cause of death identified.

Ms Kelly said she was satisfied that there was enough evidence to substantiate the charges of murder, as well as failure to provide the necessities of life.

However, Ms Kelly said that while it could be “inferred and accepted that Elizabeth suffered a level of distress and discomfort as a result of the symptoms” of the insulin cessation, she was not satisfied that the medicine was withheld for the intention of causing pain and suffering, and the charge of torture was dismissed.

After being formally charged, Ms Kelly asked Mr Struhs if he had anything to say on the charges, or if he wanted to enter a plea.

Lifting his head, Mr Struhs quietly said “no, Your Honour”.

Mr Struhs was remanded in custody for a trial in Toowoomba Supreme Court on a date yet to be determined.