Elizabeth Struhs, an 8-year-old girl living in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, died on the night of 6 January 2022 of diabetic ketoacidosis. Her family were members of a Christian religious sect known as the "Saints". The family deliberately withdrew her insulin based on a belief that God would intervene to save her life.
Kerrie Struhs joined the "Saints" in 2005. In 2019, Elizabeth had previously become extremely ill over a six-day period; on the sixth day her father, Jason Struhs, took her to hospital, where she fell into a coma. She survived that episode and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. As a result of that earlier incident, both Jason and Kerrie Struhs were convicted of failing to provide the necessities of life. Kerrie was sentenced to 18 months in prison but served five months; Jason received a six-month suspended sentence, reportedly in light of his having eventually brought Elizabeth to hospital and having testified against Kerrie. On 21 August 2021, Jason Struhs was baptised and inducted into the Saints.
Kerrie Struhs returned home from jail on 16 December 2021. On New Year's Day 2022, Jason Struhs stopped administering Elizabeth's rapid-acting insulin, and in the following days also stopped her slow-release insulin. Over the next six days, Elizabeth's health deteriorated while members of the Saints prayed and sang, believing she would be miraculously cured. She died sometime during the night of 6 January 2022. After discovering her body, members of the Saints covered her with a blanket and began praying for her resurrection, and members texted one another to come to the house to pray for this outcome. On 8 January 2022, Jason Struhs called emergency services to report her death; according to one member of the group, this was reportedly done so that more people would witness Elizabeth's body and be amazed when she was believed to rise from the dead.
During subsequent court proceedings, Crown Prosecutor Caroline Marco stated that Elizabeth's death was preventable and that she would not rise from the dead, a statement that reportedly prompted laughter from the defendants. None of the defendants entered a plea, and a plea of not guilty was entered on their behalf by the judge. Fourteen members of the Saints were ultimately convicted of manslaughter and sentenced in connection with Elizabeth's death. The case attracted international news coverage.
Kerrie Struhs becomes a member of the Christian religious sect known as the "Saints".
2019
Elizabeth Struhs becomes extremely ill over a six-day period; her father takes her to hospital where she falls into a coma. She is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Jason and Kerrie Struhs are later convicted of failing to provide the necessities of life over this incident.
2021-08-21
Jason Struhs is baptised and inducted into the Saints.
2021-12-16
Kerrie Struhs returns home after serving part of her prison sentence.
2022-01-01
Jason Struhs ceases administering Elizabeth's rapid-acting insulin.
2022-01-06
Elizabeth Struhs dies at night of diabetic ketoacidosis at the family home in Toowoomba.
2022-01-08
Jason Struhs calls emergency services to report Elizabeth's death.
Best coverage
Titles and descriptions are the creators’ own and may not reflect current legal status; see the dossier above for sourced case facts.
VIDEO
Brooke Makenna / 2 min
8-Year-Old Diabetic Killed By “Cult” Family #cult #murder #murderinvestigation #elizabethstruhs
People
Jason Struhs
CONVICTED
Elizabeth's father; ceased administering her insulin in the lead-up to her death and was among the members of the Saints convicted of manslaughter over her death. Previously convicted of failing to provide the necessities of life in 2019, receiving a suspended six-month sentence.
Kerrie Struhs
CONVICTED
Elizabeth's mother and member of the Saints; convicted of failing to provide the necessities of life in 2019 (18-month sentence, served five months) and among the members of the Saints convicted of manslaughter over Elizabeth's 2022 death.
Elizabeth Struhs
VICTIM
8-year-old girl who died of diabetic ketoacidosis after insulin was withdrawn.
Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.
Eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs died of diabetic ketoacidosis at her family's home in Toowoomba, Queensland, in January 2022 after her father stopped administering her insulin, reportedly due to the family's religious beliefs as members of a sect known as the "Saints". Fourteen members of the group were convicted of manslaughter.
Where did the crime happen?
Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
Who was convicted?
Jason Struhs (Elizabeth's father; ceased administering her insulin in the lead-up to her death and was among the members of the Saints convicted of manslaughter over her death. Previously convicted of failing to provide the necessities of life in 2019, receiving a suspended six-month sentence.) and Kerrie Struhs (Elizabeth's mother and member of the Saints; convicted of failing to provide the necessities of life in 2019 (18-month sentence, served five months) and among the members of the Saints convicted of manslaughter over Elizabeth's 2022 death.).
