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Tiahleigh’s mother breaks silence: ‘a piece of my heart is missing’

Cindy Palmer, Tiahleigh's biological mother, spoke for the first time since Rick Thorburn's arrest.

Cindy Palmer, Tiahleigh's biological mother, spoke for the first time since Rick Thorburn's arrest. Photo: AAP

The mother of slain 12-year-old Tiahleigh Palmer has spoken for the first time since her daughter’s accused killer, Rick Thorburn, was arrested.

Speaking from the police station in Logan, south of Brisbane, and wearing a shirt reading “Justice for Tiahleigh”, Cindy Palmer held back tears as she described the difficulties she has faced since her daughter’s body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River, on the Gold Coast, 11 months ago.

“My other three children will now grow up without their sister and she will forever be an angel,” she said.

“I miss my daughter terribly every day and a piece of my heart is missing.”

Ms Palmer thanked Queensland Police Service and the public for their assistance with the case to date.

“I want to not let Tiahleigh’s death be in vain,” she said.

“The time has come to get justice for Tiahleigh and I ask everyone to let the judicial system work. Please refrain from speculating or spreading any information which may damage the case and all the hard work the Queensland Police Service have done.”

She asked the media to respect her privacy while she and her family waited for the upcoming court process.

Thorburn, who was Tiahleigh’s foster father, was charged with her murder earlier this week.

His 19-year-old son, Trent, was charged with incest.

Prosecutors will allege he “had sex” with Tiahleigh a week before she died and expressed fears to a cousin he had gotten her pregnant, despite believing he had withdrawn before ejaculation.

Tiahleigh’s foster mother Julene, who police will allege knew of the incident, and foster brother Josh, 20, have been charged with perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

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