DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Killer slaughtered chickens before murdering 10-year-old girl, inquest hears

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A coronial inquest has begun into the 2020 murder of 10-year-old Bridgette "Biddy" Porter in rural New South Wales.
  • The killer, who was found guilty but not criminally responsible, is detained in a forensic health facility.
  • The inquest aims to provide answers to Biddy's parents about the circumstances leading to her death and examine potential systemic failings, while respecting the killer's anonymity under NSW law.

An inquest has commenced into the violent and traumatic murder of 10-year-old Bridgette "Biddy" Porter, who was killed in rural New South Wales in 2020. The proceedings aim to provide Biddy's parents, Rebekah Keukenmeester and Dominic Porter, with answers regarding the manner and circumstances surrounding their daughter's death.

violent and traumatic

— Peggy Dwyer SCDescribing the circumstances of Biddy's death.

The killer, identified only as XR under NSW law, was previously found guilty but not criminally responsible for the murder. They are currently detained in a forensic health facility. State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan granted the parents' request for an inquest in 2024, after an initial request for a coronial investigation was denied the previous year.

Peggy Dwyer SC, counsel assisting the coroner, described the tragedy as "devastating" for Biddy's family and friends, with an "incalculable" impact. The inquest will focus on the lead-up to the murder, exploring evidence related to potential "systemic failings or early warning signs" to prevent future deaths, rather than dwelling on the events of the killing itself.

not "sufficient words to express how devastating" the tragedy was for the 10-year-old's family and friends, and that the impact of her death was "simply incalculable"

— Peggy Dwyer SCDescribing the impact of Biddy's death.

Evidence presented to the inquest revealed disturbing details about XR's mental state. In June 2019, XR admitted to killing six chickens and burning them. A diary entry from June 19, 2020, detailed fantasies about killing people, including XR's parents, family, and friends. XR reported experiencing "cat's eyes" and hearing voices instructing them to kill. During a conversation about the chickens, XR stated, "I do these things because I don't feel real." The inquest also heard about XR's fascination with knives and possession of four knives and a tomahawk at the time of the murder.

The focus is on providing Dominic and Rebekah with the opportunity to obtain answers as to the manner and circumstances leading up to Biddy's death

— Dr Dwyer SCExplaining the purpose of the inquest.

Despite a relative booking a doctor's appointment that led to a psychiatric referral, this medical attention was not available before Biddy's death. Psychiatrists later diagnosed XR with schizophrenia, noting symptoms of psychosis at the time of the killing. Biddy's parents initiated their campaign for this inquest on the fourth anniversary of her murder.

systemic failings or early warning signs

— Dr Dwyer SCReferring to potential areas of examination in the inquest.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog