Inquest hears of eight-year-old's death after insulin withheld

An inquest in Brisbane has heard emotional testimony regarding the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs, who died in January 2022 after her insulin was withheld. Her father, Jason Struhs, reportedly stopped providing insulin for her type-1 diabetes in accordance with the beliefs of an extremist religious group known as ‘the Saints,’ which bans modern medicine.

The lack of treatment led to ketoacidosis, which poisoned the child's blood and attacked her organs. During the proceedings, Elizabeth's sister, Jayde Struhs, provided a statement to Coroner Ainslie Kirkegaard, describing the loss of the life her sister could have had and the reality of their family estrangement.

At the time of her death, Elizabeth was surrounded by her parents, brother, and 11 members of the religious group who gathered to pray as she died.