A driver accused of killing a young mother in an alleged hit-and-run outside a daycare center was dating the deceased woman’s ex-boyfriend.
Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant, 24, is alleged to have deliberately driven her Toyota Landcruiser Prado towards Kiesha Thompson, 23, as she walked home on Friday.
Ms Thompson was standing on the pavement after dropping her daughter off at daycare in Daisy Hill, south of Brisbane, when she was allegedly hit.
Ms Thompson died in hospital that night and police later charged Sant with her murder.
Sant is the new girlfriend of Ms. Thompson’s ex-partner, The courier mail reported.
Detective Inspector Chris Knight said the relationship between Ms Thompson and her suspected killer would be “central” to the police investigation.
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed that Sant has three young children and worked at a Brisbane petting zoo.
Her social media accounts are filled with selfies and posts about her tumultuous love life, relationship desires, and videos of herself dancing.
Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant, 24 (pictured), allegedly killed Kiesha Thompson, 23, by running her over with a car.
Kiesha Thompson (pictured) was standing on the sidewalk after dropping her daughter off at daycare when she was allegedly hit.
“I’m stuck between wanting to be happy forever and never wanting to lose what I have,” one post reads.
“How am I supposed to choose when the time comes?”
The revelations came as Ms Thompson’s devastated family released a video statement.
Her brother, Koby Torto, said his niece was “the light of (Kiesha’s) life” and that the family would rally around the youngster following the death of her mother.
“My sister Kiesha had a very difficult life, but over the past few years she has worked tirelessly to create the best life not only for herself but for her son, who is the absolute light of her life,” Torto said.
‘Her life until the end was exactly what she wanted, but as all good things come, so do bad things and she was taken from us.
“I cannot emphasize enough that her daughter was the absolute light of her life and we are here to support her throughout her life.”
Ms Thompson’s aunt, Amanda Matthias, urged anyone with information about the incident to contact police.
“My niece Kiesha was tragically taken from us in a horrible and senseless act,” she said.
“We are deeply grateful to those who worked tirelessly to save her,” Matthias said.
‘We ask anyone who may have information that will help us better resolve this case, if there are more people involved, to come forward to the police.’
In the meantime, the family plans to set up a GoFundMe account to help cover Ms. Thompson’s daughter’s expenses.
Sant (pictured) is reportedly the new girlfriend of Ms Thompson’s ex-partner.
Police will allege she drove around Daisy Hill for a period of time before Ms Thompson was hit.
Police at the scene of a fatal hit-and-run in Daisy Hill
Keyara Thompson said there were no words to describe “the pain of losing” her sister.
“We’re struggling with the enormity of his absence in our lives and I’m just trying to understand,” Thompson said.
‘As we work to rebuild our lives and focus on caring for our daughter, we need support.
‘In honor of Kiesha, we are starting a GoFundMe page to ensure her daughter has the best possible life we can provide for her without her mother.
“Any contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a huge difference in your daughter’s life.”
Police will allege the incident was premeditated and that Sant was driving the silver 4×4 in the area for an extended period of time before the Daisy Hill crash.
“We will be arguing that this event was not in fact an accident and that the young woman who tragically lost her life was in fact the target,” Detective Inspector Knight told reporters on Sunday.
‘For this reason we do not believe that it was an unfortunate and fortuitous traffic accident.
‘The young woman who lost her life was a mother, she had left her daughter at daycare.
“It is a gross understatement to say anything other than that the family is deeply traumatized.”
Kiesha Thompson’s heartbroken family broke their silence on Monday
Kiesha Thompson (pictured) worked tirelessly to create the best life not only for herself but for her son as well.
Sant was remanded in custody after her matter was mentioned at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
His lawyer, Thomas Allen, told the court the matter should be adjourned to Beenleigh Magistrates’ Court.
Sant was unable to apply for bail due to the seriousness of the charge and will appear in court again via video link on July 31.
Outside court, Mr Allen told reporters he had “no comment” on the matter.
Police said they seized a damaged silver Toyota Prado in Goodna, west of Brisbane, on Saturday, while the 24-year-old man was arrested a few suburbs away in Yamanto.
Police described the incident as out of the ordinary but declined to comment on any relationship between the pair.
Asked if it was a case of domestic violence, Detective Inspector Knight said: “It’s not as simple as that.”
Police are appealing for dashcam footage and have asked the driver, owner and passengers of an unmarked white bus seen nearby shortly before 9am on Friday to come forward.
Police are asking for driver and passengers to come forward after an unrelated fatal crash
