Eight-year-old’s parents and 12 other members of Toowoomba religious group the Saints are responsible for her ‘slow and painful death’, judge says
- Full Story podcast: The religious sect members who killed Elizabeth Struhs
A “dangerous, highly manipulative” Queensland religious sect leader has been sentenced to 13 years behind bars for the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs while her parents have been handed jail terms of more than 14 years each.
They are among 14 members of Toowoomba-based religious sect the Saints sentenced to prison in the Queensland supreme court on Wednesday after they were found guilty of manslaughter over Elizabeth’s January 2022 death by diabetic ketoacidosis.
The faith group, which was likened to a cult in court, does not believe in medicine – which some members have described as “witchcraft”. Instead of administering insulin to Elizabeth, who had type 1 diabetes, they prayed and sang for her miraculous healing as she lay dying over a four-day period at a house in Rangeville, Toowoomba.
The sect’s leader, Brendan Stevens, was sentenced to 13 years in jail, and must spend at least 80% of 13 years behind bars before applying for parole.
“You are a dangerous, highly manipulative individual and the authorities would be wise to consider that on your release from prison,” Justice Martin Burns told Stevens.
Elizabeth’s father, Jason Struhs, was sentenced to 14-and-a-half years in jail, with a minimum of 80% to be served behind bars.
Both Stevens and Jason Struhs were found not guilty of murder by reckless indifference after last year’s judge-only trial.
Addressing Jason Struhs, Burns said: “You put your own personal beliefs ahead of your duty and then staked the life of your eight-year-old child on it.”
Elizabeth’s mother, Kerrie Struhs, was sentenced to “slightly in excess” of 15 years in jail because she was on parole at the time of the offence. She must serve 80% of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Elizabeth’s brother, Zachary Struhs, was sentenced to six years in prison. He will be eligible for parole after three years, and could be released later this year based on time served.
Loretta Stevens, wife of sect leader Brendan Stevens, was sentenced to nine years in prison, and can apply for parole after four-and-a-half years. The remaining sect members all received sentences of between six and seven years in prison.
The group of 14 showed no emotion and did not say anything while Burns was delivering his remarks ahead of sentencing.
“You allowed your faith to blind you to her real plight,” Burns said to them.
“Elizabeth suffered a slow and painful death and you are all in one way or another responsible.”
As he ended his sentencing remarks about each prisoner, Burns exclaimed “take [them] down”, ordering them to be taken into detention.
Several prisoners, starting with Kerrie Struhs, waved goodbye to one another and smiled as they were taken away. None showed any expression or made any remark at their sentence.
Outside court Kerrie and Jason’s estranged daughter, Jayde Struhs – who left the family after they refused to accept her sexuality when she came out as lesbian – said justice had been done.
“The coercion and the manipulation Brendan used to control not only his own family but mine is the most unforgivable and disgusting abuse of people’s vulnerability. As we move on from this chapter in our lives, we’ll begin to heal,” she said.
Burns said the “deliberate conduct” of the sect members, if repeated, would pose a serious risk to the life of another child.
He said the Saints had attempted to recruit other members both while they were behind bars and prior to their detention, and still do not believe their actions were wrong.
“Your prospects of rehabilitation are bleak, to say the least,” Burns said to them.
“It is my opinion that you should have nothing at all to do with the care or custody of any child, and nor should you ever have direct or indirect contact with the child unless any such contact is strictly supervised.”
Mother Kerrie and father Jason Struhs had previously been convicted of failing to provide the necessities of life for Elizabeth after an incident in 2019.
In that year, Elizabeth, who had yet to be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, became seriously ill over a period of about six days. When she was eventually taken to hospital by her father she was described in court as on the verge of death, and fell into a coma.
Kerrie was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison, but served only five. Jason was given a six-month suspended sentence, reduced partly because he testified against his wife.
Jason then spent years helping treat Elizabeth’s incurable illness before being convinced to convert to the Saints faith, and then to end the use of insulin to treat his daughter’s diabetes, in 2021.
The 14 sect members were not represented by counsel during the trial or sentencing.
They refused to defend themselves against their charges, which they described as “religious persecution”.
They also refused to enter pleas. Burns ordered that pleas of not guilty be entered on their behalf, pursuant to Queensland law.
The 14 guilty sect members are: Jason Struhs, 53, Brendan Stevens, 63, Kerrie Struhs, 49, Zachary Struhs, 22, Loretta Mary Stevens, 67, Andrea Louise Stevens, 34, Acacia Naree Stevens, 31, Camellia Claire Stevens, 28, Therese Maria Stevens, 37, Keita Courtney Martin, 22, Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch, 34, Samantha Emily Crouch, 26, Sebastian James Stevens, 23, and Alexander Francis Stevens, 26.