An engineer charged with the murder of a diabetic girl sent a shocking email after the girl’s death accusing her uncle of “idolatry” for studying at university.
Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch’s message to his uncle, Murray, was read out in court on day 13 of a trial into the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs in early 2022.
In it, he reveals that police had confiscated the couple’s phones before launching into a wild tangent about his relative’s beliefs.
Mr. Schoenfisch, 34, and his wife Samantha Emily Schoenfisch, 26, are among 14 members of the faith-healing group known as The Saints.
Both are charged with the boy’s murder.
The lengthy email read out in court on Friday is one of hundreds of messages the Crown is relying on as part of its case against the group.
Elizabeth’s parents – Jason Richard Struhs, 52, and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, 49, are charged with the murder and manslaughter of their daughter respectively.
Brendan Luke Stevens, 62, frontman of The Saints, is also charged with murder.
Elizabeth Struhs died between 6 and 7 January 2022 at her family home in Rangeville, Toowoomba, from diabetic ketoacidosis.
An email sent by Lachlan Schoenfisch (above) to his uncle in the month after Elizabeth’s death was read out in court, in which he launches into a startling tirade against his relative.
The 11 others charged with murder include Lachlan and Samantha Schoenfisch, 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, and Keita Courtney Martin, 22.
The girl is believed to have been withheld from insulin beginning January 3, 2022 in accordance with her group’s hardline beliefs in the healing power of God.
Elizabeth’s condition worsened until she died between January 6 and 7 from diabetic ketoacidosis.
The court was told that a month after the girl’s death, Murray sent an email to his cousin offering to help the Schoenfisches girls and saying he missed speaking to Lachlan.
In a response email dated February 16, 2022, Lachlan, a trained engineer, described the “concerns” he has for his uncle and accuses him of “idolatry” for earning a college degree.
‘Woe to you, shepherds who lead my flock astray! writes Lachlan.
‘Instead of participating in fellowship meetings, their children are sent to their rooms to study.
‘By now, you should be very involved in meetings, encouraging others and using your spiritual voice.’
Lachlan says Murray cannot be a pastor because he is “not capable of leading his own children into the truth.”
“I hope that you may be corrected by this rebuke… we will continue to put our trust in God alone,” he continues.
Lachlan ends the email with a Bible passage: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
A recorded interview with Jason Struhs from January 8 was also played in court.
He is heard telling police he is “not sad” about his daughter’s death because she was “with God” and that he no longer feels “trapped” by Elizabeth’s diabetes.
One of the officers asks Jason if he regrets Elizabeth’s death, to which he replies, “No.”
“I’m happy for her, I’m at peace,” Jason is heard saying.
“She hated it (insulin).”
Zachary Struhs (top row, second from right) is among 14 members of the religious group The Saints accused of fatally removing Elizabeth’s insulin several days before her death.
Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs are charged with the murder and torture of their daughter Elizabeth Rose Struhs.
Early in the day, The Brisbane Supreme Court was shown hundreds of texts exchanged between members of the group dating back to 2019.
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.”
The trial before a single judge continues.
