Rockhampton husband accused of killing his wife and baby girl is the son of ‘King of Beef’ Denis Cox – as details emerge about hospital visit

The young father accused of killing his wife and newborn baby is the son of a high-flying executive once described as the ‘King of Beef’ in Australia’s cattle capital – as new details about his mental health treatment emerge. 

Matthew Cox, 31, was charged with the murder of his wife Tayla, 30, and their 11-week-old daughter Murphy on Thursday afternoon.

Police will allege he killed the mother and daughter at their home in Rockhampton, central Queensland, on Tuesday.

He then flew to Brisbane where he later handed himself in to into the city’s Fortitude Valley police station about 11am on Thursday.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal Matthew Cox is the son of Denis Cox, the former chief executive of ‘Beef Australia’, based in Rockhampton, the ‘beef capital of Australia’. 

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

Matthew Cox is the son of Denis Cox (pictured), who has been dubbed Australia’s ‘King of Beef’ 

A crime scene remains set up at the Park Avenue home where the bodies of Ms Cox and her daughter were found

Denis Cox senior began his career as a lowly desk clerk before working his way up to becoming CEO of various racecourses.

In 2013, he became CEO of Australia’s largest Beef Expo, Beef Australia and was dubbed the ‘King of Beef’.

Five years later in 2018, Denis Cox left Beef Australia to be part-owner and general manager of Rockhampton’s Great Western Hotel. 

He is now employed as the sales and marketing manager at Great Keppel Island Hideaway in the southern Great Barrier Reef.

Last month, he posted a picture of his granddaughter on his LinkedIn account, which has since been deleted.

‘My beautiful one month old granddaughter Murphy is definitely dreaming of Keppel!’, he wrote, alongside a picture of her being cradled.

The revelations come as new details emerge about Matthew Cox’s previous treatment for mental health issues.

Denis Cox posted about his granddaughter Murphy in a now deleted social media post

Ms Coxs’ former high school, St Ursula’s College Yeppoon, described the former student as a ‘beacon of hope, joy and love’ in an online tribute on Friday

On Friday, Queensland Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services, Shannon Fentiman, confirmed that Matthew Cox had previously sought mental health treatment at Rockhampton hospital.

‘I understand about a year ago he did seek treatment from the Rockhampton hospital,’ she told reporters on Friday. 

Ms Fentiman said the incident was ‘incredibly distressing and saddening’.

‘This is an incredibly distressing case and my thoughts and sympathies are with the family of Tayla and Murphy,’ she said. 

Ms Cox, whose maiden name was Black, grew up in Rockhampton and worked as a repair co-ordinator at Campbell Construction Co, according to her LinkedIn.

She attended St Ursula’s College in Yeppoon, a private Catholic girls school about a 35 minute drive away from Rockhampton. The college posted a tribute to Ms Cox on Friday.

‘The College Community is incredibly saddened to learn of the death of past student, Tayla Cox (nèe Black), and her infant daughter, Murphy. Tayla was a member of our graduating class of 2010,’ the Facebook post read.

‘Tayla is fondly remembered for her vivacious spirit and positive attitude. During her time at the College, Tayla was a beacon of hope, joy, and love, and had such a positive impact on others in the broader community. 

‘Tayla was a competent, capable young woman who embraced opportunities with joy and enthusiasm. We extend our thoughts and prayers to Tayla and Murphy’s family and friends.’

Proud grandmother Linda (right) recently shared a photo posing with her son Matthew (left) and his baby girl Murphy

Police attend the crime scene at the Rockhampton home of the family 

More than a decade ago, the St Ursula’s alumni appeared in her local newspaper bemoaning the lack of eligible men in her local area.

Ms Cox, who was then studying forensics at CQUniversity, complained about ‘creeps’ and ‘weirdos’ who would come to Rockhampton from out of town to pick up girls.

‘They are not attractive at all and are weirdos. A lot of men get really drunk and try to pick up chicks all the time,’ she told the Morning Bulletin. 

Three years later, Ms Cox and her future husband announced their relationship to friends and family on Facebook. It is unclear how they first met.

‘Finally you two!’ commented one friend, to which Ms Cox replied: ‘Better late than never.’

The pair lived for a while in Victoria, where Mr Cox grew up, but they moved back to Rockhampton in November 2022 when he landed a job as a TV account manager at media firm Southern Cross Austereo.

At the time, Ms Cox announced on Facebook her joy at buying a home together.

‘New chapter, can’t wait to make so many amazing memories with our beautiful little family,’ Tayla wrote.

In February, she shared a happy snap of her husband cradling her baby bump while enjoying a break on Great Keppel Island.

‘We can’t wait to meet you,’ she wrote.

In a statement, the parents of Mr Cox told the Courier Mail they were in a ‘state of shock’ at the devastating news.

‘We have lost a beautiful daughter-in-law Tayla but also our much loved granddaughter Murphy,’ Denis Cox and Linda Lind said.

‘At this stage we have very few other details and are in an absolute state of shock.

‘We ask that the media respect our privacy while we grieve and try and process what has occurred.’

Matthew and Tayla Cox pictured together 

A crime scene remains set up at the Park Avenue home where the bodies of Ms Cox and her baby girl were found.

‘A second crime scene was also established at an apartment complex on Constance Street, Fortitude Valley, where the man is understood to have been staying,’ a Queensland Police statement read.

‘A vehicle has also been seized at the Rockhampton airport and taken away for forensic examination.’

Mr Cox’s case has been adjourned to August 21.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk