An Australian mother, who was recently charged with allegedly killing her 3-year-old daughter, died after being discovered unresponsive in her jail cell. Laura Ingrid Flanigan, 32, was arrested for allegedly stabbing her toddler to death.
A week later, the mother also died. The mother of three was in jail and had an undisclosed “medical incident” prior to her death. An investigation into what caused her death is underway, as her community mourns the loss of her daughter. They will now be in even deeper mourning over this additional loss.
Flanigan was found in her cell at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre on Friday, May 30, 2025, according to the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC).
As soon as she was discovered, Queensland Police officers provided “immediate assistance” before transporting her to the hospital. She died on Sunday, June 1, after being in the intensive care unit.
According to ABC, Flanigan died of a “apparent medical episode.”
The Queensland Correctional Service confirmed to People that an investigation into the mother’s death was underway. The service will help prepare a report for the coroner, as is “standard practice for all deaths in custody.”
Laura Flanigan was in jail after being arrested and charged with stabbing her three-year-old daughter Sophia in their front yard on May 26. The neighbors called the cops, but when they arrived, the girl had already died.
“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 were injured in the incident yesterday, and they’re currently being cared for by family members.”
Inskip stated that there were “multiple attempts” to revive Sophia. “No doubt it was a horrific scene, it’s a terrible, terrible incident for everybody,” he told me.
While Inskip did not initially know how much of a role Flanigan’s mental health played in his death, he did state that it “will play a part in our inquiries” as the investigation continues. According to Sky News Australia, the woman recently posted on Instagram that appeared to address a serious issue.
“Remember your pain as it fuels your purpose,” she wrote alongside a video of a woman covered in bruises. In another post, she referred to herself as a “warrior of light,” and she mentioned training “like it’s war.” She also made reference to trauma, stating that people are “shaped by the rocks we’ve been broken against.”
