The mother of the little girl appeared on social media as a strong advocate against domestic violence and a devoted parent to her children.
A Central Queensland community was left in shock after the tragic death of three-year-old Sophia Rose, who was found with fatal knife wounds outside a home in Moore Park Beach. Her mother, 32-year-old Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, has been charged with her murder. Everything ended in further tragedy, as Flanigan has since died under sad circumstances.
Flanigan, a mother of three, did not appear in person when her case was mentioned in Bundaberg Magistrates Court. She remained in custody as the investigation continued, and her case was to be presented again in July.
On the day Rose died, emergency services were called to the Regency Road property after neighbors reported hearing screams. When police arrived, they found both Flanigan and her daughter in the front yard. Despite the efforts of paramedics, the child could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene.
Police arrested Flanigan on the spot and later seized a knife believed to have been used in the attack. They also confirmed that Rose had multiple wounds. Chief Inspector Grant Marcus said multiple triple-zero calls led officers to the property and that Flanigan was taken into custody without incident.
A neighbor who heard Rose’s screams has spoken out, “I was about to run over the road and try and do what I can but the little girl was already dead.”
Marcus said Sophia’s father, Jai Ruane, had been out of town at the time of the incident but has since returned to the area. Still grieving the loss of his daughter, Ruane said, “Always smiling, always wanting to help. Just full of life and love. She just had such a huge heart.”
Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said that two other children, aged one and two, were inside the home during the incident. Neither of the kids sustained injuries and are now in the care of family members. The residence has been declared a crime scene, and forensic and scientific officers are currently examining the property.
Flanigan’s case was taken to court, and Chief Inspector Marcus stated that the investigation would explore her mental health and any past interactions the family may have had with authorities. So far, there has been no indication of a long or extensive history with police or other agencies.
Specialist officers from Brisbane have been brought in to assist with the case. Authorities are also providing support to first responders and the local community, acknowledging the distressing nature of the scene.
Marcus described it as a horrific incident that has deeply affected witnesses, neighbors, emergency services, and investigators involved in the case. “This is not something that we ever want to attend or want our people to have to deal with,” he added.
This case has left many grappling with disbelief, especially given Flanigan’s public advocacy on issues such as domestic violence and her support for digital work opportunities for mothers.
One of her Instagram posts on domestic violence, made on April 30, partly reads, “To every woman who has lived through domestic violence — this is for you. 🤍 I know what it feels like to walk on eggshells. To silence yourself to survive. To feel more like an object than a human in your own home. To question your worth, your safety, your reality — just to keep peace for everyone else.🤍.”
Additionally, in 2021, during her pregnancy, she openly expressed her joy at the prospect of motherhood. “16 weeks pregnant and totally loving becoming your mama my sweet girl💕,” she captioned one post.
The following month, she penned, “26 weeks pregnant 💞 so far it’s been a rapid transformation in every way.. mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Becoming a mum is the most amazing journey 💖 feeling so blessed 🙏.”
Photos posted online show Rose posing with her parents and celebrating her first birthday in 2022. In one picture, she’s seen beside a rose-decorated cake inscribed with her name.
Flanigan captioned one post featuring a collection of photos of her children, “My divine babies 🤍🙏” — a reflection of the love she openly expressed for them online.
Flanigan’s posts had affirmations of love and strength, especially toward her children. However, her final post has left many unsettled. The video, believed to feature Flanigan herself, shows a woman displaying visible bruises and injuries.
Over the clip, she wrote phrases such as “Be fearless warriors” alongside a heart-on-fire emoji and “It’s time – TURN AND BURN” with flames, urging viewers to draw strength from their pain. The caption partly read, “REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE. Not what the system told you. Not what your trauma whispered. Not the lies of fear,” seemingly aimed at encouraging survivors of domestic violence.
