Mother charged with killing her toddler dies, found in cell

Perth Now

01-06-2025

The Bundaberg mother accused of stabbing her three-year-old to death has died in hospital after she was found unresponsive in her prison cell.
Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, charged with the murder of her daughter, Sophia Rose, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after being found unresponsive on Friday at Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre.
Flanigan died in hospital on Sunday night, just days after entering custody.
Queensland Police confirmed in a statement that Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) provided immediate assistance before paramedics transported Flanigan to hospital.
A report for the coroner is being prepared, and QCS will undertake an independent review into the incident, despite rigorous processes to monitor high-risk prisoners.
The Courier Mail reported that Flanigan was found on the floor of her cell by correctional officers who attempted to resuscitate her.
It is believed that Flanigan was in the Crisis Support Unit, a specialised unit for prisoners who are deemed high-risk.
The 32-year-old mother was charged with murder after she allegedly stabbed Sophia multiple times in the front yard of their Moore Park Beach home last Monday. Lauren Ingrid Flanigan has died in hospital after being found unresponsive in her prison cell. Credit: Instagram
Neighbours and emergency crews tried to save her, but Sophia could not be revived.
Police confirmed that two other children, aged one and two, were present at the home during the alleged attack; however, they were not injured.
Sophia's heartbroken father Jai Ruane, was working away when the horrific attack unfolded, but has now returned and is caring for his two other children, aged one and two, who were at home when the tragedy unfolded but were not injured. Jai Ruane beleived the tragedy could have been prevented. Credit: Facebook
At a press conference last Tuesday, police said a blade had been recovered from the scene and the home was being forensically examined.
They would not be drawn on whether there was a history of family violence or mental health issues, but said those would form part of the investigation.
'It was a horrific scene,' Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said.
'It's a terrible terrible incident for everybody, including the witnesses and neighbours, including the emergency services, police and ambulance who attended and the investigators who are dealing with the ongoing investigation.
In the days and hours before the alleged murder, Flanigan was active on social media posting about staying strong, being a 'warrior of light' and advocating for victims of domestic violence.
Alongside one chilling post shared two days before the alleged murder, she wrote: 'You are ROYALTY. You are CHOSEN. You are HOLY. You are a WARRIOR OF LIGHT.'
She continued: 'This is Kingdom Rising. We move. We build. We burn with holy fire. No more delays. No more compromise. Tag your generals. It's time to RISE.'
Flanigan was transferred to Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre last week and was due to appear in court over Sophia's murder in July.