A haunting new podcast, The Saints, is set to unravel one of Australia’s most shocking and heartbreaking stories: the tragic death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs. Since its revelation in 2022, the case of Elizabeth’s death at the hands of a religious cult in regional Queensland has stunned audiences worldwide, shedding light on the dangers of extreme religious groups.

At the heart of The Saints is a story of lost innocence, unwavering faith, and the fatal consequences of unchecked devotion. Elizabeth, who suffered from a treatable illness, was denied medical care by her parents and the members of their radical religious community, all of whom believed divine intervention would heal her. Her avoidable death led to one of Australia’s largest-ever mass trials, where 14 cult members – including her parents and brother – were found guilty of her tragic death.

This hard-hitting podcast is a joint investigation by A Current Affair and 9Podcasts, presented by award-winning journalist Pippa Bradshaw, whose extensive 15-year career in investigative reporting brings a uniquely insightful perspective. With over three years of in-depth research, Bradshaw delves into Elizabeth’s heartbreaking story, unraveling the series of failures that led to her death and exposing the dark history of the cult that took her life.

“This case is one of the most confronting but significant stories I’ve ever covered,” says Bradshaw.

“Sharing Elizabeth’s story in a podcast allows us to explore the complexities and shocking aspects of her case in more detail than ever before. My aim is to honour Elizabeth, shed light on the truth of her avoidable death, and address the many troubling questions that were left unanswered.”

The Saints takes listeners on a gripping journey through seven meticulously crafted episodes, which include exclusive interviews, harrowing police interrogations, and expert analysis. The podcast provides an intimate, chilling look into the cult’s operations—how its leader manipulated religious scripture to control followers, how new recruits were drawn in, and the broken families left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.

Cameron Schoenfisch, whose son Lachlan was a convicted cult member, reflects on the profound trauma caused by the cult’s grip. “I can’t really convey our suffering and the cost and the trauma. We didn’t realise it could go so bad, so quick.”

In a warning to other parents, Schoenfisch adds, “Don’t let this happen to you. Don’t let this happen to your loved ones. Hold your children close and tell them you love them, because you never know when that’s going to be the last chance you get.”

Beyond its exploration of cult dynamics, The Saints raises important questions about potential systemic failures within Australia’s justice and child protection systems. 

“The cult responsible for Elizabeth’s death is now locked behind bars, but critical questions remain,” says Bradshaw.

“Elizabeth was left in the care of a religious cult with known extreme and dangerous beliefs, and a mother who had previously confessed that she would continue to withhold vital medication from her daughter. Through the final episodes of this podcast, we seek to investigate whether systemic failures contributed to Elizabeth’s tragic death.”

The Saints is brought to life by an award-winning team renowned for their gripping, chart-topping true crime productions:

• Executive Producer Jess Lodge – Creator of the internationally celebrated Hannah’s Story and the chart-topping The Ultimate Sacrifice.
• Sound Designer & Editor Hannah Sterling – The creative force behind the hit investigative podcast Just Married: The Anthea Bradshaw Mystery.

Prepare to be captivated by The Saints, a podcast that digs deeper than headlines, revealing the heartbreaking and disturbing truth behind one of Australia’s most unsettling criminal cases.

The trailer is available now, with episodes streaming weekly from April 7 on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

For further information, please contact:
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager, Nine
clynch@nine.com.au 

Monday, 24 March, 2025