The man convicted of killing Queensland schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer has died after being found unresponsive in his prison cell.
Rick Thorburn was jailed for life for murdering his foster daughter in 2015, with the 12-year-old’s body found by a fisherman on the banks of the Pimpama river.
A Queensland Corrective Services spokesperson confirmed Thorburn’s death in a statement on Saturday.
“The 64-year-old man was accommodated in a single cell and was found unresponsive at approximately 10pm,” the spokesperson said
“Responding officers called QAS and attempted to revive the man however their efforts were unsuccessful”.
The death is being probed by the Correctional Services Investigation Unit.
“The incident has been reported to police and QCS will assist with their investigation,” the statement said.
“All deaths in custody in Queensland are referred to the Coroner.
“Responding officers are being supported by management and are thanked for their efforts to revive the man.”
