Facebook post that jeopardised the Tiahleigh Palmer case revealed

Lawyers for Rick Thorburn announced Monday that he will plead guilty to murdering foster daughter Tiahleigh Palmer while in his care in 2015. 

But it has been revealed that Tiahleigh’s biological mother, Cindy Palmer, put the case in jeopardy in September 2016 when she made a post to her Facebook page ‘Justice4Tiahleigh.’

Police were at a particularly sensitive point in their investigation, having just seized a blue Ford Falcon as a ‘vehicle of interest’ in relation to the 12-year-old’s death, when Cindy made the post.

Thorburn’s lawyer told the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday Thorburn, 57, would enter a plea on May 25 to murdering the 12-year-old (pictured) and disposing of her body

‘The car that was seized is identical to the one that … and … had, the one they had sold within days of Tiahleigh’s body being found,’ she wrote, ‘And as the news and police depicted this car was in the possession of a new owner who was NOT a suspect in their investigation …’

Cindy’s shock at the development became apparent as she continued the post appearing to directly implicate Tiahleigh’s foster family before police had made any such assertion public.

‘… and … were the carers of Tiahleigh, the people who were intrusted [sic] where [sic] her care and wellbeing, the same carers who are publicly selling up everything they own.’

The 2009 blue coloured Ford XR6 sedan that police seized during their investigation into the girl's death while in foster care

The 2009 blue coloured Ford XR6 sedan that police seized during their investigation into the girl’s death while in foster care

Tiahleigh's body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River in October 2015, six days after she went missing while in the care of Thorburn (pictured) and his family

Tiahleigh’s body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River in October 2015, six days after she went missing while in the care of Thorburn (pictured) and his family

Cindy was ordered to remove the post but it had already been picked up by media outlets.

Police allege Rick Thorburn had used the car to drive Tiahleigh’s body to the Pimpama River and then sold the vehicle online.

Thorburn’s lawyer told the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday Thorburn, 57, would enter a plea on May 25 to murdering the 12-year-old and disposing of her body.

Pictured are police divers searching the Pimpama river on the Gold Coast a week after Tiahleigh's body was found

Pictured are police divers searching the Pimpama river on the Gold Coast a week after Tiahleigh’s body was found

Tiahleigh’s body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River in October 2015, six days after she went missing while in the care of Thorburn and his family. 

Her foster father was arrested and charged in September 2016, and in July 2017 was committed to stand trial for murder.

Thorburn’s lawyer, told the court next month’s pre-trial hearing should be dismissed and requested a sentencing date, ABC News reported. 

Thorburn, who was not in court on Monday, will also plead guilty to a charge of perjury relating to lies he told about the young girl’s disappearance, his lawyer said.

A pre-trial hearing later this week where Thorburn was expected to seek a judge-only trial because of publicity around the high-profile case has been cancelled.

Tiahleigh's (pictured) death led to reviews of protocols on cases of children who go missing while in out-of-home care

Tiahleigh’s (pictured) death led to reviews of protocols on cases of children who go missing while in out-of-home care

Rick Thorburn, foster father of Tiahleigh Palmer (pictured), will plead guilty to murdering the Gold Coast schoolgirl 

Rick Thorburn, foster father of Tiahleigh Palmer (pictured), will plead guilty to murdering the Gold Coast schoolgirl 

Rick Thorburn (pictured, left, with Joshua, second left, Julene, second right, and Trent, right) remains in custody and is facing a life sentence for the murder

Rick Thorburn (pictured, left, with Joshua, second left, Julene, second right, and Trent, right) remains in custody and is facing a life sentence for the murder

Thorburn, who was not in court on Monday, will also plead guilty to a charge of perjury relating to lies he told about the young girl's disappearance, his lawyer said (pictured is Thorburn's son Trent)

Thorburn, who was not in court on Monday, will also plead guilty to a charge of perjury relating to lies he told about the young girl’s disappearance, his lawyer said (pictured is Thorburn’s son Trent)

Thorburn remains in custody and is facing a life sentence for the murder. 

Trent Thorburn, Rick’s 20-year-old son, was released in January after serving 16 months in jail for incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Julene Thorburn, Rick’s wife, was jailed for 18 months in jail for perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice over Tiahleigh’s death.

Joshua Thorburn, Rick’s other son, pleaded guilty to perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice and was jailed for three months in July 2017. 

Tiahleigh’s death led to reviews of protocols on cases of children who go missing while in out-of-home care. 

Tiahleigh's foster father was arrested and charged in September 2016, and in July 2017 was committed to stand trial for murder

Tiahleigh’s foster father was arrested and charged in September 2016, and in July 2017 was committed to stand trial for murder

Trent Thorburn (pictured), Rick Thorburn's 20-year-old son, was released in January after serving 16 months in jail for incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice

Trent Thorburn (pictured), Rick Thorburn’s 20-year-old son, was released in January after serving 16 months in jail for incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice

A floral tribute to Tia Palmer at the gates of Marsden State High School in November 2015

A floral tribute to Tia Palmer at the gates of Marsden State High School in November 2015



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