Convicted Child Killer Rick Thorburn Dies by Suicide in Prison

Thorburn, serving a life sentence for the 2015 murder of foster daughter Tiahleigh Palmer, was found unresponsive in his cell at Woodford Correctional Centre on April 12, 2025.

Rick Thorburn, 64, was discovered dead in his single cell at Woodford Correctional Centre at approximately 10 PM on Friday night, with his death confirmed as suicide.
Thorburn was serving a life sentence for the murder of 12-year-old Tiahleigh Palmer in 2015, a crime committed to protect his son Trent, who had been sexually abusing Palmer.
Thorburn had a documented history of multiple suicide attempts dating back to his arrest in 2016, with the most recent attempt occurring in February 2024.
The Thorburn family was deeply implicated in related criminal activities: Trent Thorburn was jailed for sexual abuse, while wife Julene and son Joshua served sentences for perjury and obstructing justice.
Queensland Corrective Services has referred Thorburn's death to the coroner, raising continued concerns about inmate mental health and the effectiveness of prison safety measures.