Australian coroner moved to tears by the death of a child denied insulin on religious grounds

Live updates

1. 47m ago

   Coroner Moved to Tears at Inquest Into Girl Denied Insulin

   An Australian coroner wept during an inquest examining the 2022 death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs, who died from ketoacidosis poisoning after her father, Jason Struhs, withheld her type-1 diabetes insulin on religious grounds. Testimony revealed that police and caseworkers never asked the simple question regarding the family's religious beliefs that could have saved the child. The victim's sister testified she discovered the death through the media. Loved ones have made a heartfelt plea for reform and change to protect other vulnerable children.

   Why it matters

   The ongoing court inquest focuses on institutional oversight after child safety staff previously deemed the family safe and overlooked signs of neglect. Authorities failed to investigate the religious group membership of the parents, who reject modern medicine. This missed opportunity has sparked broader inquiries into how welfare systems evaluate high-risk domestic environments.

   What is confirmed

   • Elizabeth Struhs died of ketoacidosis poisoning in 2022 after her father, Jason Struhs, denied her insulin for type-1 diabetes.
   • Elizabeth's parents are members of a religious group that rejects modern medicine.
   • An Australian coroner was moved to tears after hearing evidence from the older sister of Elizabeth Struhs.
   • Child safety staff previously deemed the family safe and overlooked neglect before the child died.

   What to watch next

   • Further findings and recommendations from the ongoing court inquest into child safety responses
   • Potential policy reforms regarding how caseworkers investigate religious groups and medical neglect
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Australian coroner moved to tears by the death of a child denied insulin on religious grounds
   2. ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation — Sister of Elizabeth Struhs says she found out about 8yo's death through media
   3. The Guardian — ‘Lack of curiosity’ about family’s religious beliefs was ‘missed opportunity’ to save eight-year-old, inquest hears
   4. cristinaiglesias.com — The simple question police and caseworkers never asked that could have saved Elizabeth Struhs
   5. 9Now — Watch 9News Latest Stories - Season 2026 - Heartbreaking final plea at Elizabeth Struhs court inquest
   6. Nine.com.au — Coroner weeps as Elizabeth Struhs’ sister speaks of little girl’s death
   7. Livingston Enterprise — Coroner moved to tears by death of a child denied insulin on religious grounds
   8. The Courier Mail — Child safety staff overlooked neglect before Elizabeth Struhs died
   9. WAtoday — Elizabeth Struhs’ loved ones make plea for change
   10. The Guardian — Elizabeth Struhs was deemed ‘safe’ by those meant to protect her. An inquest into her death is asking what went wrong
   11. The Courier Mail — ‘Gave us a gift’: Tears as sister speaks of Elizabeth’s legacy
   12. greatergood.com — An Eight-Year-Old Died After Her Parents Withheld Insulin and Her Sister’s Tribute Moves a Coroner to Tears
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