Hundreds of texts exchanged between members of a religious healing group during the week a young woman was dying from her diabetes have been revealed in court.
Fourteen members of the religious circle known as The Saints are on trial accused of the death of Elizabeth Struhs, who was found dead in her Rangeville home in early 2022.
The Toowoomba girl’s parents, Jason Richard Struhs, 52, and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, 49, and members of The Saints are alleged to have withheld insulin from the girl from January 3 that year, in line with their group’s strict beliefs in the healing power of God.
Elizabeth’s condition worsened until she died between January 6 and 7 from diabetic ketoacidosis.
Jason and Kerrie Struhs are charged with the murder and manslaughter of their daughter respectively.
Elizabeth’s older brother, Zachary Alan Struhs, 21, Loretta Mary Stevens, 67, Acacia Naree Stevens, 31, Therese Maria Stevens, 37, Sebastian James Stevens, 23, Andrea Louise Stevens, 34, Camellia Claire Stevens, 28, Alexander Francis Stevens, 26, Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch, 34, his wife Samantha Emily Schoenfisch, 26, and Keita Courtney Martin, 22, are all charged with murder.
Saints frontman Brendan Luke Stevens, 62, is charged with murder alongside Jason.
The court was told Jason made the decision to withdraw Elizabeth’s insulin to demonstrate his faith in God after being baptised in Los Santos in August 2021.
Elizabeth Struhs died between 6 and 7 January 2022 at her family home in Rangeville, Toowoomba, from diabetic ketoacidosis. Photo: provided
Zachary Struhs (top row, second from right) is among 14 members of the religious group The Saints accused of taking away Elizabeth’s insulin several days before her death. Photo: Court Sketch / NewsWire
Hundreds of texts exchanged between members of the group dating back to 2019 were shown to the Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday.
During the week of Elizabeth’s death, Jason texted Brendan Stevens telling him he was having a hard time after seeing his daughter get sick.
Members of Los Santos attended the Struhs’ home over the next few days and continued to share messages encouraging Jason to remain strong in his faith.
A message from Ms. Martin to Andrea Stevens reads: “God will not give Jason more than he can handle.”
In another text message, Andrea writes to Mrs. Martin: “Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit this mountain will be removed.”
Members of The Saints attended the Struhs home while Elizabeth was ill and continued to share messages of encouragement to Jason Richard Struhs (pictured) to remain strong in his faith.
Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs (pictured) are charged with the murder and torture of their daughter Elizabeth Rose Struhs.
On January 7, the day Elizabeth died, Camellia Stevens tells her brother Alexander that the little girl does not appear to be breathing.
She then says: “We will see this miracle.”
A text sent by Therese Stevens to Camellia and Acacia Stevens was also read into the minutes.
“There is nothing to fear, the Lord is with us. Elizabeth is alive. Take comfort,” said her message.
The court was told that Ms Schoenfisch and Therese also exchanged messages in 2021 after Ms Schoenfisch was baptised into the group.
Mrs. Schoenfisch tells Therese via text message that she was doing a “cleanse” of all “unnecessary” medications.
She said she was throwing away her creams and ointments, describing them as “witchcraft”.
“Needless to say, many vitamins, sleeping pills and painkillers have gone to the landfill this afternoon. Praise God,” Schoenfisch says in his message.
Teresa responds by recommending using salt water as a substitute for antiseptic and applying honey “if the wound is clean.”
Recorded interviews with the defendants are also expected to be played in the coming weeks.
In one of them, aired Thursday, Zachary Struhs tells police he is “disgusted” that his parents are being investigated for murder and that people will be “judged” for it.
The court was told he was interviewed at Toowoomba police station several days after Elizabeth’s death.
Zachary tells officers he does not regret calling someone to seek medical attention for his sister.
She goes on to say that her sister had the full support of her congregation when the decision was made to stop giving her the insulin that saved her life in the previous days, before criticising the investigation into her family.
“I’m very disgusted that this is a murder investigation,” Zachary told officers at Toowoomba Police Station.
‘All those involved will be judged based on what is in their hearts and what they have done today.’
The trial before a single judge continues.
