What Happened to Kathleen Folbigg? Where did Kathleen Folbigg Live? Did Craig Folbigg Remarry? Who is Kathleen Folbigg Lawyer?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Jun 06, 2023
What Happened To Kathleen Folbigg?
Kathleen Folbigg, an Australian woman, was previously convicted of murdering her three infant children and the manslaughter of her fourth child. The tragic deaths occurred between 1989 and 1999 when her husband discovered disturbing entries in her personal diary regarding the children's well-being, prompting him to contact the police. In 2003, she was found guilty of murder and manslaughter, resulting in a 40-year prison sentence. However, after spending two decades behind bars, Folbigg was pardoned in June 2023 due to new scientific evidence suggesting that the children's deaths may have resulted from natural causes.
This case stands out as one of Australia's most prominent instances of maternal filicide and has been subjected to extensive scrutiny and debate over the years. Following the initial conviction, Folbigg's legal team tirelessly fought for a review of the medical evidence used in the trial, arguing that faulty testimony from expert witnesses had rendered the verdict unsound.
In 2019, a judicial inquiry commenced, focusing on the scientific evidence that had led to Folbigg's conviction. During the inquiry, numerous experts testified that the medical evidence presented in her trial was unreliable, and new genetic findings indicated the possibility of an underlying genetic condition in the children. This evidence ultimately led to her pardon and subsequent release from prison.
Folbigg's case continues to generate ongoing debate, with some asserting that the original conviction was based on flawed medical evidence, suggesting a potential miscarriage of justice. Others maintain that there remains sufficient evidence supporting the initial verdict, and the new scientific findings alone do not entirely exonerate her.
Regardless of the ongoing discussions, Kathleen Folbigg's case has had a profound impact on Australia's legal system, prompting increased scrutiny regarding the use of medical evidence in criminal trials.
Where Did Kathleen Folbigg Live?
Kathleen Folbigg resided in various locations across Australia during her lifetime. She was born on June 14, 1967, in Sydney and grew up with her adoptive parents in Newcastle, New South Wales. Following her marriage to Craig Folbigg, the couple initially moved to Thornton, a suburb of Maitland. Later on, they settled in Mayfield, another suburb of Newcastle, where the tragic deaths of Folbigg's four children occurred between 1989 and 1999. Following her conviction, she was incarcerated in the Silverwater Women's Correctional Centre located in western Sydney, where she remained until her recent pardon.
Although there is no current information available about her current place of residence, it is noteworthy that Kathleen Folbigg also spent a period of time living in Singleton, a town situated in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. Singleton is approximately 200 kilometers north of Sydney and is recognized for its historic architecture and its proximity to the renowned Hunter Valley wine region.
During her time in Singleton, Folbigg gave birth to her second child and first daughter, Sarah. Tragically, Sarah was one of the four children who lost their lives while under Folbigg's care.
Apart from these mentioned locations, there is no significant indication of any other notable places where Kathleen Folbigg resided. Her life has predominantly been characterized by the highly contentious legal battles following the deaths of her children and the subsequent pardon, which has sparked extensive debate and discourse in Australia and beyond.
Did Craig Folbigg Remarry?
Craig Folbigg, the former husband of Kathleen Folbigg, did remarry subsequent to their divorce. Multiple news articles have mentioned his remarriage, and recent media coverage of Kathleen's case has referred to him as her "former husband."
Following his separation from Kathleen in 2000, Craig Folbigg entered into a marriage with a woman named Helen in 2004. In 2005, they welcomed a daughter into their family. Craig and Helen first met through mutual acquaintances and connected over the shared experience of coping with the loss of a child to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in 1998.
Throughout the years, Craig Folbigg has consistently maintained his belief that Kathleen, his ex-wife, was responsible for the deaths of their four children: Caleb, Patrick, Sarah, and Laura, which occurred between 1989 and 1999. He testified against her during her trial in 2003 and has opposed her subsequent appeals and inquiries. The decision to pardon Kathleen and release her from prison in 2023, based on new evidence suggesting the children's deaths were the result of natural causes due to rare genetic mutations, shocked and disappointed Craig.
According to Craig Folbigg's lawyer, he has remained unwavering in his conviction that his children were victims of murder, and he experienced a sense of numbness following Kathleen's release. Craig has moved forward with his life and is focused on raising his daughter with Helen, prioritizing their well-being and building a new chapter beyond the challenging circumstances surrounding Kathleen's case.
Who is Kathleen Folbigg Lawyer?
Kathleen Folbigg's legal representation has involved various lawyers throughout the course of her case, so the answer to the question of who her lawyer is can vary depending on the context. However, in recent years, one of her primary lawyers has been Rhanee Rego, who has worked closely with Folbigg's legal team in their pursuit of parole or pardon from the New South Wales government. Notable lawyers who have represented Folbigg include Jeremy Morris SC and Dr. Robert Cavanagh, both of whom have been strong advocates for her cause.
At the 2020-2021 inquiry that resulted in Folbigg's pardon, Tim Gartelmann SC served as her lead counsel. He argued that new scientific evidence raised reasonable doubt about her convictions and emphasized that her diaries were expressions of grief and guilt, not confessions of guilt.
Rhanee Rego, Folbigg's solicitor during the 2020-2021 inquiry, characterized the case as a "20-year-long ordeal" and celebrated Folbigg's release as a "victory for science and truth."
While not a lawyer, Professor Carola Vinuesa played a pivotal role as a geneticist leading the research team that identified the rare genetic mutations affecting Folbigg and her children. She provided testimony during the 2020-2021 inquiry, presenting evidence that supported the conclusion that Folbigg's children died of natural causes.
Stuart Tipple served as Folbigg's lawyer during her trial in 2003, as well as her appeals in 2005 and 2007. He also represented Lindy Chamberlain, another woman who was wrongfully convicted of killing her baby. Tipple has expressed the view that Folbigg's case represents one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in Australian history.
Kathleen Folbigg Diary Extracts
Kathleen Folbigg's diaries played a significant role as evidence in her 2003 conviction for the murder of her four children. During the trial, the prosecution argued that certain entries in her diaries were admissions of guilt, while the defense contended that they were misinterpreted and instead reflected her grief and self-blame as a mother. Below are extracts from her diaries that were presented during the trial:
Following Caleb's death in 1989: "I am angry at myself for being so immature as to not cope with him. I should have been able to deal with it all. I wish I never handled him so roughly. I think I was very cruel to him sometimes. I know he woke up and cried a lot, but I think he also had a lot of wind and stomach pains. I was too hard on him. I wish I could have been more gentle and patient with him."
After Patrick's death in 1991: "With Sarah, I think I'll be a lot more patient and relaxed. With Patrick, I was short-tempered and cruel sometimes. And now he's gone. God, I wish I could turn back time sometimes."
Following Sarah's death in 1993: "She left, with a bit of help." Before Laura's birth in 1997: "I don't want to do this again. It's too hard on me emotionally and physically."
After Laura's death in 1999: "My guilt about them all haunts me. What if? What if? What if?"
Folbigg's legal team argued that her diaries were not confessions of guilt, but rather expressions of grief and self-blame from a mother who had tragically lost four children. They claimed that she blamed herself for their deaths due to her perception of being an inadequate mother and her belief that she inherited violent tendencies from her father, who had killed her mother when she was an infant.
During the 2020-2021 inquiry that led to her pardon, Folbigg provided explanations for some of her diary entries, stating that they were taken out of context and misunderstood. She maintained that she loved her children and never caused them harm
What Happened To Kathleen Folbigg - FAQs
Kathleen Folbigg is an Australian woman who was convicted of killing her four children between 1989 and 1999.
Kathleen Folbigg's children, Caleb, Patrick, Sarah, and Laura, all died in their infancy between 1989 and 1999.
Kathleen Folbigg was initially sentenced to 40 years in prison, but her sentence was later reduced to 30 years.
Kathleen Folbigg's case was controversial because there was no clear evidence that she had killed her children, and her conviction was based largely on circumstantial evidence and her personal diary entries.
Kathleen Folbigg was released from prison on parole in early 2021, after serving 18 years of her sentence.