Child murderer found dead in jail
Rick Thorburn murdered 12-year-old schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer in 2015 and was sentenced to life in prison.
Thorburn was found dead in his cell in regional Queensland on Friday, and is understood to have taken his own life.
A Queensland Corrective Services spokeswoman confirmed the death of Thorburn, as reported by The Courier Mail.
'The 64-year-old man was accommodated in a single cell and was found unresponsive at approximately 10pm,' a spokeswoman said.
'Responding officers called QAS and attempted to revive the man however their efforts were unsuccessful.
'The incident has been reported to police and QCS will assist with their investigation.'
Tiahleigh was reported missing in October 2015, from the home of Thorburn, his wife Julene and their two sons south of Brisbane. Julene ran a home childcare business from the house.
Tiahleigh's body was found six days later on a river bank.
Her older foster brother, Trent Thorburn, had sexually abused her. Trent later pleaded guilty to incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice; an attempt to cover up the sexual abuse sparked Rick to kill Tiahleigh.
A Coroner investigating Rick's actions after he had pleaded guilty to murder said Tiahleigh was resilient despite a tough start in life.
'She loved hip hop dancing, cheer leading, animals and horse riding. She was described as a 'delightful girl' and 'a child people fell in love with' by those who knew her,' Coroner Jane Bentley found.
'Despite being subjected to neglect, abuse, abandonment and adversity, Tiahleigh remained a kind and gentle girl. She had many friends at high school.
'She was not 'streetwise' but immature and naive for her age. Although in the past she had experienced some behavioural issues as a result of the harm that she had suffered, she had not been involved in the justice system and had no history of self-harm, drug or alcohol use.'
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