# Inquest into Elizabeth Struhs death

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/inquest-into-elizabeth-struhs-death
> Updated: 2026-10-22T07:52:36.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

A coroner’s inquest in Brisbane is examining the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs, who died in January 2022 after her parents withheld insulin for her type-1 diabetes. The decision to stop treatment was reportedly made in accordance with the beliefs of an extremist religious group known as ‘the Saints,’ which bans modern medicine.

The proceedings have revealed that the child’s death was caused by ketoacidosis. Testimony indicated that at the time of her passing, Elizabeth was surrounded by her family and 11 members of the religious group who gathered to pray. 

Further findings from the inquest show that medical professionals had issued ‘extreme’ warnings regarding the child’s safety as early as 2019. A pediatrician had warned Queensland’s Child Safety Department that Elizabeth was at ‘extremely high risk of harm.’ However, it was revealed that treating medical staff were excluded from critical safety meetings held by the inter-agency Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) team prior to the child’s death.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-22: Inquest hears of eight-year-old's death after insulin withheld

An inquest in Brisbane heard testimony regarding the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs, who died after her parents withheld insulin due to religious beliefs.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/inquest-hears-of-eight-year-olds-death-after-insulin-withheld

### 2026-10-15: Inquest reveals doctors' warnings were ignored before child's death

A Brisbane inquest heard that doctors warning of ‘extreme’ risk to six-year-old Elizabeth Rose Struhs were excluded from safety meetings before she died from medical neglect linked to an anti-medicine cult.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/inquest-reveals-doctors-warnings-were-ignored-before-childs-death

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Cite as: Inquest into Elizabeth Struhs death. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/inquest-into-elizabeth-struhs-death
