The Tragic Case of Elizabeth Rose Struhs: A Story of Faith and Fatal Consequences
The parents and 12 members of a religious congregation accused of killing an eight-year-old girl by withholding her diabetes medication have been found guilty of manslaughter.
The Tragic Death of Elizabeth Rose Struhs
Elizabeth Rose Struhs died on 7 January 2022 at her family’s home in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, after six days without her prescribed insulin shots for type-1 diabetes.
The Court Proceedings
The girl’s father, Jason Richard Struhs, 53, faced a judge-only trial for murder by reckless indifference to life in Queensland’s Supreme Court over nine weeks starting in July 2024.
Struhs was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the alternative charge of manslaughter.
The Verdict
The 14 defendants appeared in court with the women wearing blue jail uniforms and the men in casual clothes.
The leader of the family’s religious group, Brendan Luke Stevens, 63, also faced a murder charge during the same trial before Justice Martin Burns.
Justice Burns found Stevens not guilty of murder but guilty of the alternative charge of manslaughter.
The Defense’s Argument
Stevens claimed they held a reasonable belief that God would heal Elizabeth in line with the group’s rejection of modern medicine.
In his written judgment, Justice Burns said the prosecution had not proven Stevens or Struhs had the “mental element” of reckless indifference to life.
The Sentencing
All 14 defendants will be sentenced on 11 February.
‘I think the court made the right decision’
Jayde Struhs said after the verdict it had been a long and hard three years.
“Not a moment has gone by that I haven’t thought about my little sister Elizabeth,” she said.
The judge found that Elizabeth’s parents had shown an “egregious departure from the standard of care” with the support and encouragement of the other defendants.
Justice Burns said the defendants’ singular belief in the healing power of God left no room for medical treatment.
Conclusion
This tragic case highlights the devastating consequences of placing faith above medical treatment, leading to the untimely death of a young child. The verdict of manslaughter for all defendants serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of prioritizing healthcare over religious beliefs.
FAQs
1. What was the final verdict in the case?
All 14 defendants were found guilty of manslaughter in the tragic death of Elizabeth Rose Struhs.
2. When will the defendants be sentenced?
The sentencing for all defendants is scheduled for 11 February.