A coronial inquest has begun into the tragic death of Elizabeth Struhs, an eight-year-old girl who died after her parents and members of a religious sect withdrew her lifesaving medication. Elizabeth, who suffered from type 1 diabetes, passed away on January 7, 2022, at her family home in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.
Background
The inquest revealed that 14 adult members of the sect known as the Saints, including Elizabeth's parents, Jason and Kerrie Struhs, were convicted of her manslaughter last year. The group, which has been described by some as a cult, rejected medical treatment, believing that Elizabeth would be miraculously healed and resurrected after her death.
Elizabeth's condition deteriorated after her parents withdrew her insulin, leading to her death from diabetic ketoacidosis. This was not the first incident; she had been hospitalized in 2019 under similar circumstances, where her mother had refused to provide necessary medical care.
Medical Warnings
During the inquest, it was revealed that a medical specialist at the Queensland Children’s Hospital had warned that Elizabeth would not be safe at home with her mother. The doctor, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, expressed concerns about Elizabeth's safety in a report submitted to child safety authorities.
