Fourteen members of an Australian religious group have been found guilty in a tragic case that has garnered national attention about the murder of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs. The group’s intense hostility to medical care led to the girl’s death in 2022 after she was denied insulin for almost a week. The organization, referred to as the Saints, refused to provide Elizabeth with the treatment that would have saved her life because they believed in supernatural healing.
Diabetic ketoacidosis, a disorder brought on by severely elevated blood sugar levels, claimed Elizabeth’s life at home. The tragic circumstances surrounding her death, which occurred in Toowoomba, approximately 125km (78 miles) west of Brisbane, were made public throughout the court proceedings. Even though Elizabeth’s family provided her with a lot of loving care, her life ended tragically when she was denied insulin, something her parents and the group thought would be resolved by prayer. Those responsible for this horrific incident were found guilty of manslaughter.
What Happened in the Courtroom and What Was the Verdict?
Jason Struhs, Elizabeth’s father, and Brendan Stevens, the group’s leader, were put on trial for murder in the Supreme Court of Queensland. Together with twelve other congregation members, including Elizabeth’s mother and brother, both men were found guilty of the lesser offense of manslaughter. To the charges, each member had entered a not-guilty plea.
Justice Martin Burns, who rendered the decision, underlined the case’s intricacy. “It cannot be doubted that Elizabeth was lovingly cared for in almost every way,” the court said. “However, due to a singular belief in the healing power of God… she was deprived of the one thing that would most definitely have kept her alive.” The manslaughter conviction served as a reminder of what happens when essential medical treatment is subordinated to faith.
What Did Elizabeth's Final Days Look Like?
Prosecutors described Elizabeth’s agony as she lay motionless on a mattress in her family’s house, creating a chilling image of her last days. She was described as having incontinence, speaking little, and requiring help to use the restroom. At trial, it was said, “She would have suffered from vomiting, severe fatigue, and unconsciousness.”
The Saints declined to seek medical help despite the apparent symptoms of anxiety and declining health. In the hopes that God would step in and heal her, the group organized prayer vigils for Elizabeth instead. Unfortunately, because the group believed that Elizabeth could be revived, no doctor was called, and authorities were not notified until 36 hours after her death.
How Did Elizabeth's Family Respond to the Situation?
The case also exposed deep splits within Elizabeth’s family. Just before his daughter passed away, Jason Struhs, her father, had become a Saint. Although he had initially supported giving Elizabeth medical treatment, he eventually adopted the group’s viewpoint. According to Jason’s testimony in court, he and Elizabeth had decided to “stop the insulin” jointly. He sobbed as he declared, “Elizabeth is only sleeping, and I will see her again,” demonstrating his steadfast faith in his daughter’s resurrection.
On the other hand, Brendan Stevens, the group’s leader, justified the congregation’s behavior, saying that their choice reflected reflected their religious beliefs. Stevens contended that “we are within our rights to believe in the word of God completely,” characterizing the trial as an instance of “religious persecution.” He said the organization had “no intention of fighting” the case in court, so they declined to file pleas.
Why Were the Defendants Convicted of Manslaughter?
Justice Burns found all fourteen defendants guilty of manslaughter even though the prosecution was unable to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Jason Struhs and Brendan Stevens intended to kill Elizabeth. The judge declared, “They were all jointly involved in a crime that resulted in her death,” highlighting the fact that their combined acts played a part in the tragic conclusion. The terrible results of putting off medical care for religious reasons are shown in this manslaughter conviction.
What Did Elizabeth's Sister Have to Say About the Verdict?
Jayde Struhs, Elizabeth’s sister, who left the Saints and ran away from the family home at the age of 16 after coming out as gay, said she felt conflicted about the decision. In a statement outside the court, she stated, “The system had failed my sister, even though I am happy with Wednesday’s verdict.” “We are only here today because more wasn’t done sooner to protect her or remove her from an incredibly unsafe situation in her own home.”
Jayde’s testimony revealed the increasingly rigid and exclusive character of the Saints’ views. According to her, the group had rejected regular medical care and adopted increasingly radical beliefs, such as denouncing Easter and Christmas as “pagan” holidays.
Why Was Elizabeth's Health Already in Danger Before Her Death?
Evidence of a prior event in which Elizabeth’s life had been in danger was also presented to the court. Because of the severe effects of her untreated diabetes, she was admitted to the hospital in a diabetic coma more than two years before her death, weighing barely 15 kg (2st 5 lb). Shortly after, she received a formal diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and was informed that daily insulin injections would be necessary to control the illness.
In connection with this previous incident, Elizabeth’s parents were charged. But in return for a possibly lighter sentence, Jason Struhs testified against his wife, Kerrie. He apologized for having “let his daughter down.” He said that he had given Elizabeth insulin while his wife was in prison but had finally given in to pressure from other religious members to discontinue the treatment.
How Did Religious Beliefs Impact Medical Care?
The instance emphasizes how dangerous it is for deeply held religious convictions to obstruct necessary medical treatment. Elizabeth’s story is a stark reminder of the disastrous results of prioritizing religion over medical knowledge. Justice Burns’s decision served as a reminder of the fine line that must be drawn between the right to practice one’s religion and the obligation to safeguard the weak, especially children. The manslaughter conviction provides a stark reminder of the possible repercussions of putting religious convictions before life-saving medical care.
What Can Be Learned from Elizabeth Struhs' Tragic Story?
Elizabeth Struhs’ untimely demise is a moving illustration of how unbridled religious beliefs can have permanent effects. Although the court’s conviction of all fourteen members brings some justice, Elizabeth’s harm cannot be reversed. In a moving statement, her sister Jayde said, “We are only here today because more wasn’t done sooner to protect her.”
