A young mother allegedly murdered by her husband along with her newborn baby had previously spoken out about ‘weirdos’ and ‘weirdos’ before getting married.
The body of Tayla Cox, 30, and her newborn daughter Murphy Margaret, 11 weeks old, were discovered by police at their Rockhampton home in central Queensland on Thursday morning.
Her husband, Matthew Cox, 31, will appear in court on Friday charged with her murder.
He had flown in from Rockhampton on Tuesday night before turning himself in to Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley Police Station at around 11am on Thursday, prompting police to arrange a welfare check for his wife and daughter.
Tayla Cox (right), 30, and her baby Murphy (center) were found dead in their Rockhampton home on Thursday. Her husband Matthew Cox (left) has been charged with her murders.
Proud grandmother Linda (right) recently shared a photo posing with her son Matthew (left) and baby Murphy
Police discovered the two bodies at the Rockhampton home while conducting a welfare check.
Police believe they died on Tuesday.
Ms. Cox, whose maiden name was Black, grew up in Rockhampton and worked as a repair coordinator at Campbell Construction Co, according to her LinkedIn.
Over a decade ago, he appeared in his local newspaper lamenting the lack of eligible men in his local area.
Ms Cox, then studying forensics at CQ University, complained about “weirds” and “weirdos” coming to Rockhampton from out of town to pick up girls.
‘They are not attractive at all and they are weirdos. A lot of men get really drunk and try to pick up girls all the time,’ she told the morning bulletin.
Three years later, Ms Cox and her future husband announced their relationship to friends and family on Facebook. It is not clear how they met.
‘Finally you two!’ commented a friend, to which Ms Cox replied: ‘Better late than never’.
Mr. and Mrs. Cox announced their relationship on Facebook in December 2015
The couple lived for a time in Victoria, where Cox grew up, but moved back to Rockhampton in November 2022 when he landed a job as a TV account manager with media firm Southern Cross Austereo.
At the time, Ms. Cox announced on Facebook her joy at buying a house together.
“New chapter, can’t wait to make so many amazing memories with our beautiful little family,” Tayla wrote.
In February, she shared a happy photo of her husband cradling her tummy while enjoying a break on Great Keppel Island.
“We can’t wait to meet you,” she wrote.
In a statement, Cox’s parents told the Courier Mail that they were in a “shock” over the devastating news.
Matthew and Tayla Cox (pictured during her pregnancy) lived in Victoria before moving back to Rockhampton after buying a house in November 2022
Matthew Cox (left) will appear in a Brisbane court on Friday in the death of his wife (right) and their baby.
“We have lost a beautiful daughter-in-law, Tayla, but also our much loved granddaughter Murphy,” said Denis Cox and Linda Lind.
“Right now we have very few details and we are in absolute shock.
“We ask that the media respect our privacy as we grieve and try to process what has occurred.”
The crime scene remains set up in the Park Avenue house where the bodies of Ms. Cox and her baby were found.
“A second crime scene was also established at an apartment complex on Constance Street, Fortitude Valley, where the man is believed to be staying,” a Queensland police statement read.
“A vehicle was also seized at Rockhampton airport and taken away for forensic examination.”
If you or someone you know needs help, call 1800 Respect (1800 737 732) or Lifeline on 131 114.
