Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Ryan Fahey

Australia's worst female serial killer who murdered kids may be free in just five years

A final inquiry is being held into whether the woman branded Australia's worst female serial killer is actually responsible for the murder for her four babies.

Kathleen Folbigg, 54, has spent the past two decades behind bars in Australia after being convicted in 2003 of murdering three of her children, Patrick, Sarah and Laura, and manslaughter in relation to her fourth child Caleb.

She is appearing in court this week as scientists give evidence which they believe will clear her name after serving 20 years of a 25-year sentence.

Recent finds from two Danish experts claim her kids carried a genetic disease which caused heart irregularities.

Folbigg's lawyers hope to prove the kids died naturally, rather than being smothered by their mother - crimes that made her one of the worst female serial killers in Australian history.

Folbigg during a 2019 hearing in Sydney (AAP/PA Images)
Patrick Folbigg died (AAP/PA Images)

Last year her husband refused to offer up a DNA sample as evidence to help the team.

Despite repeated attempts to clear her name through the courts, various appeals and another inquiry all upheld guilty verdicts.

The current inquiry is her last chance at getting out before her pending release date in 2028.

Australia's 9News say this time, the proceedings have fresh evidence obtained by Danish professors Professors Mette Nyegaard and Michael Toft Overgaard, that could see her conviction overturned.

Folbigg's ex-husband Craig, who still believes she's guilty (EPA)

They have found that the genetic condition's symptom of irregular heart rhythm could have caused the young children's death.

Folbigg's friend Tracy Chapman told reporters outside the court: "I spoke to Kathleen last night and we keep saying 'let the truth be our guide'.

"I hope the system is fit for purpose and can actually see the truth unfolding as you all are today before you [...]"

Kathleen Folbigg is guilty of murdering three of her four children including Laura (AAP/PA Images)

"She's hopeful of justice," Ms Chapman added.

During the initial trial, prosecutors used Folbigg's handwritten diaries to convict her, claiming that they were admissions of guilt.

However, the two-week inquiry is set to hear from psychiatrists who claim that the so-called confessions were simply a processing mechanism for the grieving mother who was struggling with her mental health.

Last August, Folbigg's ex-wife refused to provide his DNA because he is convinced she is guilty.

Kathleen Folbigg leaving Maitland Court after being refused bail, 22 March 2004 (Fairfax Media via Getty Images)

His lawyer, Danny Eid, said: "This whole inquiry was imposed on him and as the father who lost four children, he is a person who should be properly ­funded and represented before the inquiry.

"He has been placed in an untenable position that required me to withdraw from acting because he could not secure funding… bearing in mind that he is not a killer and even a killer is provided funding to defend themselves."

Sarah Folbigg also died (AAP/PA Images)

Kathleen has always insisted she is innocent and has appealed to New South Wales Attorney-General Mark Speakman who has recommended another inquiry after evidence emerged following another one in 2019.

The previous inquiry upheld her conviction, but a 2019 report looked into the significance of the mutation.

A total of 90 scientists called for Kathleen to be pardoned based on the report by scientists Carola Vinuesa and Matthew Cook.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.