Foster father who murdered Tiahleigh Palmer found ‘unresponsive’ in jail
The man serving a life sentence for killing 12-year-old Tiahleigh Palmer has been found unresponsive in his jail cell for a second time.
Rick Thorburn being escorted by police from the Logan Central Police Station, Queensland. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Rick Thorburn was convicted of murdering his foster daughter and dumping her body in a Gold Coast river in 2015.
On Tuesday he was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital after being found unresponsive in his cell at the Wolston Correctional Centre at Wacol.
It is the second time Thorburn has been found unresponsive in his cell, after being hospitalised in September 2020.
Queensland Corrective Services confirmed the incident.
“Initial advice is that the 62-year-old man appeared well earlier in the morning, however was found unresponsive in his cell at about 8.30am,” a spokesperson told AAP in a statement.
“He was in a single cell at the time. Responding officers commenced first aid and worked with Queensland Health staff to stabilise the prisoner until paramedics arrived.”
Thorburn was 57 when he pleaded guilty in 2018 to charges of murder, perjury, interfering with a corpse and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
He was sentenced to spend at least two decades behind bars and will be eligible for parole in 2036.
Thorburn’s wife and two sons were also jailed for their involvement in Tiahleigh’s death.
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