Cairns child killings

Eight children were killed, four boys and four girls, ranging in age from two to 14 years old. The victim's bodies were discovered by Thaiday's 20-year-old son when he visited the house at around 11:00 a.m. on 19 December 2014. She allegedly told him "I've killed them". Police believe Thaiday drugged the children before the attack took place, as no one reported that they heard the victims during the attack. However, no drugs were found at the crime scene. Neighbours had reported that fighting could be heard from the house the night before and in the early hours of the morning. It was also reported that Thaiday had thrown her family's possessions onto the front lawn of the property prior to the killings, and had been observed by neighbours yelling in the street. ==Perpetrator==

The perpetrator of the killings was Raina Mersane Ina Thaiday, also known as Mersane Warria, a 37-year-old Torres Strait Islander woman who had no previous criminal history. She was a single mother to seven of the children and also the aunt of the eighth. She reportedly had untreated mental health issues and was under financial stress at the time of the killings. She was said to be a long-time cannabis user, but had recently banned alcohol and drugs from the house. She was also said to have developed extreme religious views, including making public proclamations about "Papa God", and to have attended multiple churches "seeking counsel". On 21 December 2014, Thaiday was charged with eight counts of murder. She was subsequently moved to a mental health facility in Brisbane, with a preliminary hearing to occur in Cairns on 30 January 2015. In April 2017, Queensland's Mental Health Court ruled that Thaiday was of "unsound mind" at the time of the killings, and thus (under Queensland law) not criminally responsible. She was reportedly diagnosed with "psychosis stemming from undiagnosed schizophrenia". within a secure ward. It was reported around the same time that she "had been slow to respond to treatment and was at high risk of relapsing". ==Aftermath==

The Torres Strait Island Regional Council requested respect for privacy and cultural responsibilities, adding it was inappropriate to comment due to "strict cultural protocols". The children's funeral was held on 10 January 2015 at Cairns Convention Centre. The house was removed. Eight frangipani trees were planted on the site as a memorial. ==References==