Video seized by police investigating alleged murder of Tyla Cox and her baby Murphy by husband Matthew at their Rockhampton home – as new detail about his romantic past is revealed
Video was seized by police outside a property where a mother and her newborn were reportedly killed – as new details about the father’s romantic past have emerged.
Tayla Cox, 30, and her 11-week-old daughter Murphy were found dead by police at their home in Rockhampton in central Queensland on Thursday morning.
The ‘confrontational’ discovery came after Matthew Cox, Tayla’s husband and the baby’s father, flew to Brisbane where he turned himself in at a local police station.
The police believe that the mother and daughter died on Tuesday afternoon.
Matthew Cox (left), 31, was charged with the murder of his wife Tayla (right), 30, and their 11-week-old daughter Murphy on Thursday afternoon
Forensic investigators removed a SIM card from a CCTV camera at the front of the property
The distraught residents of Rockhampton have left flowers and teddy bears at the scene of the tragedy
Now Daily Mail Australia can reveal that forensic officers have removed a SIM card from a CCTV camera at the front of the property.
Police have spent the past three days combing the alleged crime scene and on Saturday the rubbish bins and letterbox of the property were examined.
While it’s unclear how the mother and her baby met their tragic end, police reportedly removed an alleged weapon from the home.
Detective Darrin Shadlow told media on Thursday that the mother and baby had cuts to their bodies.
“I will say it was quite a confrontational scene,” he said the ABC.
Mr Cox poses next to his infant daughter in a newly unearthed photograph taken just three weeks before her alleged murder
“There was a large amount of blood.”
Police are also believed to have used luminol – a chemical that can detect tiny traces of blood – in the property’s bathroom.
It was revealed on Friday that Mr Cox had sought mental health treatment at Rockhampton hospital more than a year ago.
Daily Mail Australia understands that Mr Cox was previously engaged to marry another woman.
Mr Cox and his former fiancée, who is also from Rockhampton, were due to get married in October 2015, but the wedding was mysteriously called off just weeks before.
In December 2015, Mr Cox and Tayla announced their relationship to friends and family on Facebook. It is understood that they met while working at Flight Center and got married in 2021.
There is no suggestion that there was any crossover in the relationships.
It’s because new photos have surfaced of Mr. Cox smiling next to his newborn daughter just three weeks before he allegedly killed her.
Other photos show the new parents posing next to delighted relatives rocking the new addition to the family.
Tayla is the forty-third Australian woman and Murphy Margaret the tenth child killed in Australia this year.
Mourners left teddy bears outside the house with messages to the innocent victims
Forensic detectives removed items from the house for the third day in a row
A steady stream of devastated locals arrived at the quiet cul-de-sac in the country town on Saturday to lay flowers and teddy bears.
Placing a bouquet of flowers, City Councilwoman Donna Kirkland said Ms. Cox’s family were “beautiful people” who were well known in the community.
“It’s a reminder to ask people, ‘Are you okay? How are you?’,” she said.
“New moms with small babies go through a lot and sometimes it’s a very lonely space when it’s your first child.”
Matthew and Tayla Cox pictured together
Their home is now an alleged crime scene – and the site is a floral tribute to the deceased mother and child
Neighbor Cherie Stickley, 43, who has lived on the street all her life, said police asked her if she had seen or heard anything on Tuesday but said it seemed like an ordinary day.
While she didn’t know the couple, who had moved in less than a year ago, she said the tragedy was a “total shock.”
“It’s not something you would expect, it’s always been such a quiet neighborhood,” she said.
“You hear about this sort of thing in the news, but you assume it would be in Brisbane and major cities – not three doors away,” she added.
Grandparents Allister and Katrina Clein were on site with their three granddaughters to lay teddy bears.
“It’s so tragic that something like this should happen to an innocent mother and child,” said Mr. Clein.
Mr and Mrs Cox announced their relationship on Facebook in December 2015
Matthew Cox (left) will appear before a court in Brisbane on Friday over the death of his wife (right) and their baby. Pictured the couple in happier times
Mr Cox and his wife lived for a while in Victoria where he grew up, but moved back to Rockhampton in November 2022 when he took a job as a TV account manager at media company Southern Cross Austereo.
Ms. Cox announced on Facebook at the time her joy in buying a house together.
“New chapter, can’t wait to make so many amazing memories with our beautiful little family,” Tayla wrote.
Police allege Mr Cox allegedly murdered his young family on the afternoon of August 8 and flew that night to Brisbane, where he stayed at the four-star Constance Hotel Fortitude Valley.
Two days later, he turned himself in to the local police station, as police raced to their Rockhampton to make the grim discovery.
In the wake of her tragic death, Tayla has been praised for her ‘vibrant spirit and positive attitude’ by her former school, St Ursula’s College in Yeppon.
“During her time at the College, Tayla was a beacon of hope, joy and love, and she made such a positive impact on others in the wider community,” said school principal Deborah Ryan.
A steady stream of devastated locals arrived at the quiet cul-de-sac in the country town on Saturday to pay their respects
Forensic investigations continued for the third day since the gruesome discovery
The young mother, who also ran an art page, was described by friend Rachel Titmarsh as the “Rockhampton Miley Cyrus.”
“My favorite memories with Tayla were singing karaoke. Oh the days… May they both rest in peace,” she wrote.
Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams said he had “a heavy heart” over the tragedy.
“I have a personal connection with the family and I know how difficult it is for the family right now,” he said.
On Friday, Daily Mail Australia revealed that Mr. Cox is the son of a high-flying manager who was once described as the ‘King of Beef’ in Rockhampton, Australia’s beef capital.
Mr Cox’s case has been adjourned until August 21.
In a statement, Mr Cox’s parents said they were devastated by the news.
“We have lost a beautiful daughter-in-law Tayla, as well as our beloved granddaughter Murphy,” the statement read.
“At this stage we have very few other details and are in an absolute state of shock.”