Police charge two families over the death of Elizabeth Rose Struhs

Video shows the moment 12 people from a small religious group in Toowoomba were told they would be charged with murder following a six-month investigation into the death of Elizabeth Rose Struhs.

Detectives from the Toowoomba Child Protection Investigation Unit are expected to charge 12 people from a religious group with murder following a six-month investigation into the death of Elizabeth Rose Struhs.

A joint multi-unit investigation, Operation Uniform Music was established after the eight-year-old’s body was located at a Rangeville home on Saturday, January 8.

Police will allege her parents Jason and Kerrie Struhs denied Elizabeth the medication needed to treat her Type 1 Diabetes on the basis of their religious beliefs and instead of calling emergency services, called members of their congregation around to their home to pray.

Police charged parents Kerrie and Jason Struhs with murder, torture and failing to provide the necessities of life after the body of Elizabeth Rose Struhs was found in a Meredith Crescent home in Rangeville Toowoomba on January 8, 2022.

It will be further alleged the 12 people arrested are members of a religious group who were present during this period, were aware of the girl’s medical condition and did not seek medical assistance.

It is alleged Elizabeth passed away on January 7, with emergency services contacted at approximately 5.30pm on January 8.

This morning a search was conducted by police at a residence in Homestead Avenue, in Harristown, where 12 residents were taken into custody.

Elizabeth’s parents were arrested about January 12 and charged with one count each of murder, torture and failing to provide the necessities of life.

They remain in custody and are yet to enter pleas to the charges.

It is understood Elizabeth fell into a coma several days earlier but rather than phone Triple-0 or take the young girl to hospital police allege her parents gather members of their ad hoc church to pray for her recovery.

Those charged with murder include, a 65-year-old woman, a 60-year-old man, a 35-year-old woman, a 32-year-old woman, a 32-year-old man, a 29-year-old woman, a 26-year-old woman, a 24-year-old man, a 24-year-old woman, a 21-year-old man, a 20-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man.

Elizabeth Rose Struhs (right) with her eldest sister, Jayde.

Elizabeth’s oldest sister Jayde Struhs praised the Toowoomba CPIU officers who kept her informed as the investigation progressed.

“I am thankful for all the work they have done,” she said.

“It could not have been easy with so many people involved in such an unusual case.

“It would have been so complicated and they have stuck to it and not just let it slip away. They kept me updated.”

Jayde said she was working with her partner to care for her surviving siblings.

“Now we just have to support the kids through everything involved and all the things to come, we must help them find themselves and get out in the world and find their own way,” she said.

The house where Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs practised their faith. The couple are charge with murdering their daughter, Elizabeth Rose Struhs by withholding lifesaving diabetes medication.

Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Acting Superintendent Garry Watts said the investigation was an unprecedented example of alleged murder of a child in Queensland.

“This investigation is complex,” he said.

“It is not the sort of situation we are faced with as investigators quite commonly.

“There has been a lot of research that has gone into preferring charges and after six months we are in the position we are in today.”

Officers from the Toowoomba Child Protection Investigation Unit, the Child Trauma Unit and the Homicide Investigation Unit allege all 12 people were at the Rangeville home in the days leading up to Elizabeth’s death, knew about her medical condition but did not render aid.

Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs are both charged with the murder and torture of their daughter Elizabeth Rose Struhs. Supplied

A/Supt Watts said the case was protracted and difficult.

“In my nearly 40 years of policing I haven’t been faced with a matter like this.

“I am not aware of a similar event in Queensland, let alone Australia.

“There have been quite a number of investigators assigned to the matter since January 8 and to get to where we are today has taken a lot of work, a lot of effort by those investigators.

“Today we had more than 30 police involved in the execution of the search warrant and also the conveyance of those people to the various police stations across the district.”

The accused are currently being held in police stations across the Darling Downs District are expected to be charged with murder tonight.

They will front the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Thursday where police will object to their bail.

“It’s a tragic set of circumstances,” A/Supt Watts said.

“I am pleased with the professionalism of the offices as they went about their business to end up here today to give some comfort to the remaining family of the victim child.”