Australian woman who murdered her 3-year-old daughter died after being found unconscious in her cell
Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, accused of fatally stabbing her 3-year-old daughter, was found unconscious in her cell and died days later
An Australian woman accused of murdering her young daughter was found unconscious in her cell and died days later.
This is Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, who died in a Brisbane hospital after being found unconscious in a cell at the Women's Correctional Centre in that city. city, where she was facing charges for the alleged murder of her young daughter, Sophia Rose, which occurred in late May at her home in Moore Park Beach, in north Queensland.
As confirmed by Queensland Police, corrections officers provided immediate assistance before she was transferred to the intensive care unit of the Princess Alexandra Hospital, where she died two days later.
An investigation has already been launched to clarify the circumstances of her death, while the coroner's authorities are preparing an official report to determine the exact causes of her death in custody.
Flanigan did not appear before the Bundaberg Magistrates' Court, and her next hearing was scheduled for July.
Calls for review of prison system
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli expressed his concern about what happened and demanded a full investigation.
"It is important that the system is reviewed. We need clear answers about what happened in prison," she said.
For her part, Debbie Kilroy, director of the organization Sisters Inside, which works in defense of incarcerated women, said that the family is “heartbroken” after losing two of its members in a single week.
“We await the results of the coroner’s investigation to understand why Lauren Flanigan did not respond and what exactly she died of,” she said.
Accusation against Lauren
Flanigan was formally accused of fatally stabbing her 3-year-old daughter, who was found with multiple stab wounds in the garden of the family home.
Although her other two children, younger than Sophia, were also at the scene,They were unharmed and are being cared for by family.
Sophia’s murder sent shockwaves through the Moore Park Beach community, where dozens of people gathered to hold a vigil in her memory, ABC Net reported.
The local church, which Flanigan and her daughter attended, held two mourning services. During the service, candles were lit and tributes were paid to the girl.
“Our hearts are heavy,” said Pastor Adam Ryan, representing the congregation, according to ABC Net.