Pair planned fatal hit-and-run of young mum: police

A second person has been charged with the hit-and-run murder of Kiesha Thompson. (HANDOUT/QUEENSLAND POLICE)

A man planned the hit-and-run murder of his ex-partner with his new girlfriend in Brisbane, police say.

Kiesha Thompson was allegedly deliberately struck by a four-wheel drive while walking home on a footpath after dropping her daughter at daycare in Daisy Hill, south of the city, on Friday.

The 23-year-old died in hospital that night.

Floral tributes at the site of a pedestrian hit-and-run in Daisy Hill
Kiesha Thompson was allegedly deliberately struck by a 4WD while walking home on a footpath.

Police charged Tyler Scott William James with murder as a domestic violence offence on Monday after he was arrested at Logan Central.

Detective Inspector Chris Knight said on Tuesday that James and the victim were in an intimate relationship in the months before the alleged murder.

Police will allege their relationship formed part of the motive for the attack.

James' case was mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Police earlier charged James' girlfriend, 24-year-old Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant, with murder.

Det Insp Knight said James was allegedly involved in the planning of the murder but Sant was the sole driver of the car.

Detective Inspector Chris Knight (file image)
Detective Inspector Chris Knight said the alleged hit-and-run murder was a "horrendous crime".

"We will be alleging that (James) was a participant in the planning and preparation of the offence," he told reporters on Tuesday.

He said James and Sant were "equally involved" in the offence.

Det Insp Knight called it a "horrendous crime" that would have a "tremendous" impact on Ms Thompson's family.

"I've been investigating for more than 30 years and spent a large portion of my career doing homicide and death investigations but there are features we have identified in this investigation that will stay with me," he said.

Ms Thompson's family called the "horrific and senseless" tragedy a "cowardly act" in a video released by police on Monday.

Her sister, Keyara, said the pain of losing her sibling could not be put into words.

The family of Kiesha Thompson
Kiesha Thompson's family are struggling to deal with the loss of the young mother.

"We are struggling with the enormity of her absence in our life," she said.

Her family vowed to take care of her baby daughter who was "the absolute light of her life".

"We are here to support her (daughter) throughout her whole life," her brother Koby Torto said.

James, 27 of Acacia Ridge, did not appear in person in court while his charge was briefly mentioned on Tuesday.

James' solicitor, Catherine Stewart, requested that the matter next be heard as a committal mention before Beenleigh Magistrates Court on July 31 with his co-accused Sant. 

Magistrate Julian Noud on Tuesday ordered James be remanded in custody with his charge to be mentioned with Sant's at the same hearing but excused him from appearing in person.

Sant was remanded in custody after her matter was mentioned in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store