An engineer charged in the death of a diabetic girl sent a stunning email after the child’s death accusing his uncle of “idolatry” for pursuing a college degree.
Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch’s message to his uncle Murray was read to the court on the 13th day of the trial into the death of Elizabeth Struhs, eight, in early 2022.
In it, he reveals that police have confiscated the pair’s phones before engaging in a wild discussion about his relative’s beliefs.
Mr. Schoenfisch, 34, and his wife Samantha Emily Schoenfisch, 26, are among the 14 members of the faith healing group known as The Saints.
Both are accused of manslaughter of a child.
The lengthy email read out to the court on Friday is one of hundreds of messages relied on by the Public Prosecution Service in its case against the group.
Elizabeth’s parents – Jason Richard Struhs, 52, and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, 49 – are charged with the murder and manslaughter of their daughter, respectively.
Brendan Luke Stevens, 62, the leader of The Saints, is also charged with murder.
Elizabeth Struhs died between January 6 and 7, 2022 at her family home in Rangeville, Toowoomba, from diabetic ketoacidosis
An email Lachlan Schoenfisch (above) sent to his uncle in the month after Elizabeth’s death was read to the court, in which he launches into a stunning tirade against his relative
The other 11 people charged with manslaughter are Lachlan and Samantha Schoenfisch, Elizabeth’s older brother Zachary Alan Struhs, 21, Loretta Mary Stevens, 67, Acacia Naree Stevens, 31, Therese Maria Stevens, 37, Sebastian James Stevens, 23, Andrea Louise Stevens, 34, Camellia Claire Stevens, 28, Alexander Francis Stevens, 26, and Keita Courtney Martin, 22.
It is alleged that the girl’s insulin administration was stopped from January 3, 2022, in line with the group’s strict belief that God has a healing power.
Elizabeth’s condition deteriorated until she died of diabetic ketoacidosis on January 6 and 7.
The court was told that a month after the girl died, Murray sent an email to his cousin offering to help the young Schoenfisches and saying he missed talking to Lachlan.
In a response email dated February 16, 2022, Lachlan, a qualified engineer, expressed “concern” about his uncle and accused him of “idolatry” by pursuing a college degree.
‘“Woe to you, shepherds, who lead my flock astray,” Lachlan writes.
‘Instead of attending the meetings, your children are sent to their rooms to study.
‘By now they should be deeply involved in the meetings, encouraging others and making their spiritual voices heard.’
Lachlan claims Murray cannot be a minister because he “cannot lead his own children into the truth.”
“I pray that you may be corrected by this rebuke…we will continue to place our trust in God alone,” he continues.
Lachlan concludes the email with a Bible passage: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
A recorded interview with Jason Struhs on January 8 was also shown to the court.
He tells police he is “not sad” about his daughter’s death because she was “with God” and he no longer feels “trapped” by Elizabeth’s diabetes.
One of the officers asks Jason if he regrets Elizabeth’s death, to which he replies, “No.”
“I’m happy for her, I’m at peace with it,” Jason is heard saying.
“She hated it (the insulin).”
Zachary Struhs (top row, 2nd from right) is one of 14 members of the religious group The Saints accused of fatally withdrawing Elizabeth’s insulin days before her death.
Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs are both accused of the murder and torture of their daughter Elizabeth Rose Struhs
Earlier in the day, The Brisbane Supreme Court was shown hundreds of texts exchanged between members of the group dating back to 2019.
The week after Elizabeth’s death, Jason texted Brendan Stevens, telling him he was struggling after watching his daughter get increasingly ill.
Members of The Saints visited the Struhs’ home over the next few days and continued to share messages encouraging Jason to remain steadfast in his faith.
A message from Mrs. Martin to Andrea Stevens reads, “God will not give Jason more than he can bear.”
In another message, Andrea texts Mrs. Martin: “Not by might, not by violence, but by my spirit this mountain will be moved.”
The trial, in which only the judge is present, continues.