‘Already on the other side of death’: Flurry of texts from cult-like religious group as diabetic girl lay dying

Texts sent by members of a cult-like religious circle on trial over the death of a young diabetic girl have been revealed in court, including one from her father to the group’s leader. Elizabeth Rose Struhs, 8, allegedly suffered for days after members of the circle – which include her parents and older brother – withheld her lifesaving insulin for days in January 2022. She spent days vomiting, struggling to use the toilet and eventually falling into unconsciousness before she died between January 6-7 that year. Elizabeth’s father Jason Richard Struhs, 57 and 62-year-old Brendan Luke Stevens – the leader of the religious group known as The Saints – are both charged with her murder. Her mother Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, 49 and elder brother Zachary Alan Struhs, 21, are facing charges of manslaughter. Loretta Mary Stevens, 67 – the wife of Brendan Stevens – and their adult children Acacia Naree Stevens, 31, Therese Maria Stevens, 37, Sebastian James Stevens, 23, Andrea Louise Stevens, 34, Camellia Claire Stevens, 28, and Alexander Francis Stevens, 26, are also charged with manslaughter. Three others, Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch, 34 and his wife Samantha Emily Schoenfisch, 26, and a third woman, Keita Courtney Martin, 22, are also charged with manslaughter. The group entered no pleas at the start of the trial, so Justice Martin Burns entered not guilty pleas on their behalf. The Crown contends Jason made the decision to stop administering Elizabeth’s insulin in line with the group’s beliefs on the healing power of God. Crown prosecutor Caroline Marco has spent the week outlining the case against the group, including how Jason was allegedly manipulated into joining the group and stopping the administration of the drug. When this occurred on January 3, 2022, his daughter became visibly unwell. Dozens of texts allegedly sent by members of The Saints in the lead-up to Elizabeth’s death have already been detailed in court – including Brendan describing Elizabeth’s illness as a “little trial” to prove Jason and Kerrie were “faithful” to God. “Don’t think that you’re waiting for the healing, you indeed have it. You have seen his glory,” Brendan is alleged to have said. “Elizabeth is still healed as she was yesterday. The Lord will bless your faithful work.” The court was told messages were exchanged between the Struhs and Stevens families on January 4 that year while the Stevens were celebrating Andrea’s 29th birthday. A picture displayed to the court showed the Stevens family celebrating a birthday lunch. But at the Struhs household, Jason was struggling to cope and feared Elizabeth would die, Ms Marco said. Kerrie reached out to Brendan with the message: “Hi Brendan, praise the Lord. I pray for you as well. Jason is not going too well. I’m not sure what else you can say. He’s reading your text and he is not able to be encouraged by them.” Jason also messaged Brendan: “Hi Brendan, thanks for your thoughts, but I still really struggle with my flesh, with Elizabeth still being sick. I can’t seem to break out of this even with prayer and songs. I am so scared and lost in my thought.” He continued: “I thought I was ready for this step, but now I seem to be questioning it.” The court was told Brendan then declared he would visit them both, without delay. In the afternoon, Kerrie asked Brendan what food or drink she could give to her daughter when “nothing was staying down”. Other messages were allegedly sent by Brendan organising an impromptu fellowship at their home. Jason was also sent messages of encouragement, including one from Therese that read: “Be strong and of good courage. Be not afraid, neither dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” She continued: “We are already on the other side of death. Praise the Lord. We have already seen the mightiest miracle in you.” The exchanges are only a small fraction of the other messages exchanged between the group in the months prior Summarising her opening on Thursday, Ms Marco said Elizabeth’s death was “completely preventable”. “There is no victory to be had from this catastrophic series of events,” she said. “There is just the tragic loss of a young child’s life that should not have happened.” Ms Marco said Elizabeth would not “rise again” to join her family and friends “in this physical existence” – prompting snickers and scoffs from the defendants behind her. “Each of the defendants played a significant part in bringing about the end of her life,” she continued. “It was known by (her father) his actions would probably cause her death.” More laughter emerged as Ms Marco continued: “The leader of their congregation, the preacher, the messenger from God – Brendan Stevens – also knew that, her father knew that she would probably die.” The trial resumes on Monday.