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Tiahleigh Palmer’s foster father to plead guilty to murder

Tiahleigh's body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River.

Tiahleigh's body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River. Photo: AAP

The foster father of slain Logan schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer will plead guilty to her murder, his lawyers said.

Tiahleigh’s body was found on the banks of a river on the northern Gold Coast in November 2015.

Rick Thorburn was committed to stand trial for murder in July last year.

But Mr Thorburn’s lawyer Adam Guest told the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Monday, the pre-trial hearing set down for next month should be dismissed and his client wished for a date to be sentenced.

Mr Thorburn has not formally entered a plea, but outside court Mr Guest said he intended to plead guilty to all charges, including murder and interfering with a corpse.

The 12-year-old girl was found dead six days after she was reported missing, sparking a major review of child safety system and the protocols for children who go missing from out-of-home care.

Mr Thorburn was arrested and charged in September 2016, almost a year after Tiahleigh’s body was found.

He will be sentenced on May 25.

Rick Thorburn

Rick Thorburn will be sentenced next month. Photo: AAP

Tiahleigh’s mother Cindy Palmer said in a statement her daughter deserved justice.

“My beautiful daughter Tiahleigh deserves justice. I hope it comes on May 25th. Thank you, everyone, for your support and for respecting my family’s privacy,” she said.

“I have lots to say, but right now, I will let the police and court do their job. Tia, I love you.”

Mr Thorburn will become the final member of his family to be jailed in relation to Tiahleigh’s death, and faces a life sentence for murder.

Mr Thorburn’s son and Tiahleigh’s foster brother, 20-year-old Trent Thorburn, was jailed in September last year for incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Rick’s wife Julene Thorburn was sentenced to 18 months in jail for perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice over the 12-year-old’s death.

Mr Thorburn’s other son Joshua also pleaded guilty to perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Joshua has served his sentence, while Trent was released on parole in January after serving about 20 months behind bars.

Their mother Julene is due for release in May this year, and will serve another six months on parole.

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