THE Chambers Flat man accused of Tiahleigh Palmer’s murder is in an induced coma in hospital after collapsing.
Rick Thorburn, 56, did not appear in court on Wednesday, with his solicitor Kelly Thompson saying her client was residing at the Princess Alexandra Hospital after collapsing at Beenleigh watch house on Tuesday soon after being charged.
Earlier, Mr Thorburn was charged with murder and interfering with a corpse in relation to the death of the 12-year-old schoolgirl.
He was remanded in custody and will face a committal hearing on December 21.
Tiahleigh was reported missing on October 30 last year and her body was found a week later on the banks of the Pimpama River on the Gold Coast.
Mr Thorburn and his wife Julene, 54, were Tiahleigh’s foster parents at the time of her disappearance.
Overnight, Ms Thorburn was charged with perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The couple’s sons and Tiahleigh’s foster brothers, Trent, 19, and Josh, 20, were also charged with perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The 19-year-old was also charged with incest.
At Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Tiahleigh’s biological mother Cindy left the hearing flanked by supporters but refused to speak to waiting media.
Wearing a white t-shirt emblazoned with ‘Justice 4 Tiahleigh’, Ms Palmer tighly clasped the hand of her partner as she avoided media and quietly walked down a Beenleigh street away from the courthouse.
Outside the court, Mr Thorburn’s laywer Kelly Thompson also declined to comment on the her client’s condition.
Josh thorburn man is expected to face court later on Wednesday.
