A heartbreaking case out of Australia just took another tragic turn. Laura Ingrid Flanigan, the 32-year-old mom who was recently charged with killing her 3-year-old daughter, has died after being found unresponsive in her jail cell.
Flanigan had been arrested after allegedly stabbing her daughter, Sophia, in the front yard of their home. Just a week after that horrifying incident, she was gone too. Authorities say she experienced a “medical incident” while in custody, though they haven’t yet released specific details. An investigation is underway to figure out exactly what happened.
Flanigan was discovered in her cell at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre on Friday, May 30, according to a report from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Queensland Police responded immediately, giving her assistance before transporting her to the hospital. She was admitted to the intensive care unit but passed away on Sunday, June 1.
The Queensland Correctional Service released a statement to the public, confirming that a full investigation is ongoing. A report will be prepared for the coroner, which is routine when someone dies in custody.
Just days before her death, Flanigan had been charged in a case that shocked the nation. On May 26, she was accused of stabbing her 3-year-old daughter, Sophia, in front of their home. Police were called by neighbors, but tragically, it was too late by the time officers arrived — the little girl couldn’t be saved.
“There were two other children at the address at the time, both younger — aged 1 and 2,” Superintendent Brad Inskip told News.com.au. “Neither of them was injured in the incident yesterday, and they’re currently being cared for by family members.”
Inskip said that emergency responders made “multiple attempts” to save Sophia, but the situation was already dire. “No doubt it was a horrific scene, it’s a terrible, terrible incident for everybody,” he added. The investigation into what led to such a horrific event is still active, and mental health may be a key piece. “We don’t know yet the extent of any mental health history,” Inskip said, “but it will play a part in our inquiries.”
Leading up to the incident, Flanigan had been posting on Instagram, and some of her messages hinted at inner struggles. One video featured a woman with bruises, paired with the caption, “Remember your pain as it fuels your purpose.” In another post, she described herself as a “warrior of light” and talked about training “like it’s war.” She also wrote about past trauma, saying people are “shaped by the rocks we’ve been broken against.”
Now, a grieving community that was already reeling from the death of a young child is faced with another loss. As authorities work to untangle the truth behind this devastating story, two young children are left without their sister and their mother, and so many questions still remain.