'Time for justice': Tiahleigh Palmer's mother breaks her silence
Tiahleigh Palmer's biological mother, Cindy Palmer, has spoken publicly for the first time since charges were laid over the schoolgirl's murder as police scour the home of her alleged killer for evidence.
Cindy spoke to media representatives in Logan on Friday afternoon, three days after Tiahleigh's foster father Rick Thorburn, 56, was charged with her murder.
“She will forever be an angel,” Cindy said at the press conference.
Cindy Palmer arrives at a press conference at the Logan Police Station. Source: AAP
“A piece of my heart is missing forever,” the heartbroken mother said fighting back tears.
“The time has come to get justice from Tiahleigh,” she ended her statement.
Cindy speaking at the press conference was visibly upset and shaken. Source: AAP
Another revelation made at the press conference was that Julene Thorburn had hired a lawyer prior to her arrest earlier in the week.
It is understood she has been cooperating with authorities.
Police have spent this morning digging up the yard of Tiahleigh Palmer's alleged killer as they search for her missing backpack and school uniform.
Excavators have been seen moving into the Chambers Flat property belonging to the Thorburn family.
Earlier in the press conference Detective Inspector Damien Hansen stated, "We're looking for all evidence".
"The backpack is still outstanding, the uniform is still outstanding," he continued.
"We will be looking for any evidence relating to Tia’s murder and any of the other crimes with which the Thorburns have been charged," Detective Superintendent Kerry Johnson told the Courier-Mail. "We will be looking for anything and everything."
The murdered 12-year-old was found naked on the banks of Queensland's Pimpana River in October 2015 and police are eager to locate her missing backpack and school uniform.
Her foster father has woken from an induced coma after complaining about chest pain and then collapsing shortly after being charged with her murder.
A Queensland Police spokesman confirmed the 56-year-old was in a stable condition and had been transferred from Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital's ICU to a secure unit.
It has been reported he managed to obtain and take a number of pills while in custody.
He was scheduled to face Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Wednesday but his appearance was postponed because of his hospitalisation.
Thorburn's partner Julene, 54, and one of his sons Josh, 20, were granted bail after being charged with perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
His other son Trent, 19, has been refused bail on the same charges and an additional charge of incest.
The court was told he'd confessed in a Facebook Messenger conversation with a cousin that he'd had sex with Tiahleigh and feared she might be pregnant.
Tiahleigh's 19-year-old foster brother Trent Thorburn faced court and was denied bail as police outlined their case against him in court on Wednesday. Source: Facebook.
Julene and Josh Thorburn will face court again on October 10.
Trent Thorburn will remain in custody until his next court date on November 9.
Rick Thorburn's matter will next be mentioned on December 21.
Tiahleigh Palmer's biological mother Cindy Palmer is expected to today speak publicly for the first time since charges were laid over the schoolgirl's murder.
With AAP
