A driver accused of killing a young mother in a suspected hit-and-run near a daycare center was in a relationship with the dead woman’s ex-boyfriend.
Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant, 24, allegedly deliberately drove her Toyota Landcruiser Prado into Kiesha Thompson, 23, as she walked home on Friday.
Ms Thompson was on the pavement after dropping her daughter off at daycare in Daisy Hill, south of Brisbane, when she was reportedly struck.
Mrs Thompson died in hospital that night and police later charged Sant with murder.
Sant is the new girlfriend of Mrs. Thompson’s ex-partner, The courier post reported.
Detective Inspector Chris Knight said the relationship between Ms Thompson and her alleged killer would be “critical” to the police investigation.
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed that Sant has three young sons and worked at a petting zoo in Brisbane.
Her social media accounts are filled with selfies and posts about her stormy love life, her desires for relationships and videos of herself dancing.
Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant, 24, (pictured) allegedly murdered Kiesha Thompson, 23, by running her over with a car
Kiesha Thompson (pictured) was on the sidewalk after dropping her daughter off at daycare when she was reportedly struck.
‘Caught between the desire for a happy ending and never wanting to lose [sic] “What I have,” one message reads.
“How am I supposed to choose when the time comes?”
The revelations came after Ms Thompson’s shocked family released a video statement.
Her brother, Koby Torto, said his niece was “the light of (Kiesha’s) life” and that the family would rally behind the young girl after her mother’s death.
“My sister Kiesha has had a very difficult life, but over the past few years she has worked tirelessly to create the best life possible, not only for herself but also for her child, who is the absolute light in her life,” Mr Torto said.
‘Her life until the end was exactly what she wanted, but like all good things, so too all bad things, she was taken from us.
“I can’t stress enough that her daughter was the absolute light in her life and we are here to support her throughout her life.”
Amanda Matthias, Mrs Thompson’s aunt, urged anyone with information about the incident to contact police.
“My niece Kiesha was tragically taken from us in a horrific and senseless act,” she claimed.
We are extremely grateful to those who worked tirelessly to save her.
“We ask anyone with information that could help us solve this case to contact the police.”
In the meantime, the family plans to set up a GoFundMe to help cover expenses for Mrs. Thompson’s daughter.
Sant (pictured) is reportedly the new girlfriend of Ms Thompson’s ex-partner
Police will allege she drove around Daisy Hill for a while before Ms Thompson was hit
Police on scene of fatal collision in Daisy Hill
Keyara Thompson said there are no words for “the pain of losing” her sister.
“We’re struggling with the enormity of her absence from our lives and I’m just trying to understand it,” Thompson said.
‘As we try to get our lives back on track and focus on caring for her daughter, we need support.
‘In honor of Kiesha, we are starting a GoFundMe page to ensure her daughter has the best possible life without her mother.
“Every contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a huge difference in her daughter’s life.”
Police suspect the crash was premeditated and that Sant had been driving the silver four-wheel drive SUV in the area for an extended period of time before the crash on Daisy Hill.
“We will argue that the incident was not in fact an accident and that the young lady who tragically lost her life was indeed a target,” Detective Inspector Knight told reporters on Sunday.
‘That’s why we don’t believe it was an unfortunate, random traffic accident.
‘The young woman who lost her life was a mother. She had dropped her daughter off at daycare.
“To say the family is severely traumatized is an understatement.”
Kiesha’s Thompson’s devastated family broke their silence on Monday
Kiesha Thompson (pictured) worked tirelessly to create the best life not only for herself but also for her child
Sant was remanded in custody after her case came before Ipswich Crown Court on Monday.
Her lawyer, Thomas Allen, told the court the case should be adjourned to Beenleigh District Court.
Sant was unable to apply for bail due to the seriousness of the charges and will appear in court again via video link on July 31.
Outside court, Mr Allen told media he had “no comment” on the matter.
Police said they seized a damaged silver Toyota Prado in Goodna, west of Brisbane, on Saturday, while the 24-year-old was arrested a few suburbs away in Yamanto.
The police describe the incident as anything but typical, but do not want to make any statements about a possible relationship between the two.
When asked if there was domestic violence involved, Detective Inspector Knight replied: ‘It’s not that simple.’
Police are seeking dashcam footage and are asking the driver, owner or passengers of a white, unbranded van seen in the area shortly before 9 a.m. Friday to come forward.
Police are calling on driver and passengers to come forward after unrelated fatal accident