Queensland police digging up the backyard of Tiahleigh Palmer’s foster family have unearthed light-coloured material as they search for the 12-year-old schoolgirl’s uniform and backpack.
The latest discovery was made as police spent the day digging up the Chambers Flat property of Tiahleigh’s accused killer, her foster father Rick Thorburn.
The material will have to undergo forensic testing to determine if it is relevant to the investigation.
The police search of the Thorburn property got underway on the same day as Tiahleigh’s mother Cindy Palmer spoke out for the first time since Thorburn was charged, vowing not to let her daughter’s death be in vain.
Wearing a shirt reading “Justice for Tiahleigh”, Ms Palmer described the difficulties she has faced since her daughter’s body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River, on the Gold Coast, 11 months ago.
“My other three children will now grow up without their sister and she will forever be an angel,” she said.
Rick Thorburn was yesterday moved from hospital to prison after an apparent overdose following his arrest for her murder.
Thorburn’s 19-year-old son, Trent, was charged with incest.
Prosecutors will allege Trent “had sex” with Tiahleigh a week before she died and expressed fears to a cousin she may have become pregnant, despite believing he had withdrawn before ejaculation.
Tiahleigh’s foster mother Julene, who police will allege knew of the incident, and foster brother Josh, 20, have been charged with perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
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