Tiahleigh Palmer’s mum lashes out at her daughter’s killer Rick Thorburn as he’s found unresponsive

The mother of murdered schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer has unleashed on her daughter’s killer after he reportedly tried to take his own life behind bars for a second time.

Rick Thorburn, who was sentenced to life for the murder of the 12-year-old in 2018, was taken to Brisbane‘s Princess Alexandra Hospital after he was found unconscious in his cell at about 8.30am on Tuesday morning. 

Tiahleigh’s biological mother Cindy Palmer said she wasn’t surprised to hear Thorburn, 62, had been taken to hospital – given he has tried before.

‘He is a putrid grub and so is his wife from the phone recordings we heard at the inquest,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.

She noted Thorburn showed no remorse for the 12-year-old’s killing, as was found by Queensland’s Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley in June last year.

Ms Bentley said that phone calls between Thorburn and his wife Julene made it clear ‘that he (the killer) perceives himself as being unfairly dealt with and victimised by the media and public opinion’.

‘I find that Mr Thorburn is completely without remorse for any of his offending,’ Ms Bentley wrote in the coroner’s report.

Ms Palmer said she felt the inquest, while thorough, was a ‘waste of time’ and was Thorburn’s ‘smug way’ of trying to retain control over her daughter’s death.

Queensland Corrective Services said in a statement that 62-year-old Thorburn was discovered unresponsive in a single cell at Wolston Correctional Centre on Tuesday.

‘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 said.

‘Responding officers commenced first aid and worked with Queensland Health staff to stabilise the prisoner until paramedics arrived.’

His current condition is unclear. 

Thorburn was jailed after confessing to killing schoolgirl Tiahleigh to cover up the fact his son Trent had been having sex with the underage girl.

Thorburn later dumped Tiahleigh’s body – naked except for underpants – on the banks of the Pimpama River on the northern Gold Coast, Queensland.

The 62-year-old was put on suicide watch after his arrest.

Although her foster father pleaded guilty to her murder, he claims he accidentally suffocated her.

In a phone call heard between Thorburn and his wife, the pair are heard discussing how the media would be present during the inquest.

‘That’s what I say – just say the words, ”I can’t recall” and what have they got then? F*** all. Just leave it up to me to say everything. I can say and do what I want but you, you can’t, you know,’ Thorburn said.

Julene was sentenced to 18 months’ jail for perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice, with the sentence suspended after six months.

In the hours before Tiahleigh died, she had been to a hip-hop dance class where she complained of stomach pains.

That day, Trent confessed to his mother that he’d had sex with the schoolgirl and feared the stomach pains were a sign she was pregnant. 

Trent was sentenced to four years in prison for incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

A large amount of his sentence was served in solitary confinement, after he was subjected to vicious assaults by other inmates.

Trent was allowed to walk free in 2018 after just 16 months behind bars.