A mother and her young daughter were tragically discovered dead in what is believed to be a murder-suicide, after the mother was mandated to receive involuntary mental health care just two years prior.
The individuals, anesthetist Tiffany Wilkes, 54, and her daughter Clementine, 8, were found in an upscale Airbnb located in Kenmore Hills, on the outskirts of the city, on September 29.
Their bodies were found not long after Dr. Wilkes had sent an email to a colleague detailing her intentions, which led the colleague to request a police welfare check.
Almost two weeks after their deaths, inquiries by the ABC have brought up concerns that authorities might have overlooked chances to intervene.
Dr. Wilkes, a well-respected medical professional, was detained under the Mental Health Act in 2023, undergoing involuntary treatment in a hospital.
A year later her daughter began missing classes at her school in Brisbane’s south-east, before being withdrawn from mainstream schooling this year.
Those who knew Dr Wilkes have since asked why Clementine wasn’t identified as an at-risk child given her mother’s mental health struggles.
It is understood the Queensland Child Safety Department had not received any reports about concerns for Clementine’s safety.
Dr. Tiffany Wilkes (shown in the photo) underwent compulsory mental health care at a hospital in 2023. Earlier this year, she withdrew her daughter from regular schooling before their deaths.
Clementine, 8, had been described by her mother as a ‘girl wonder’ and ‘mini genius’
Neighbours say Dr Wilkes never moved into the two-storey townhouse she purchased in Norman Park (pictured) more than two years ago
One theory is Dr Wilkes’ prestigious job, intelligence and ability to present as normal may have shielded Clementine from concern.
Clementine was a precocious student who achieved strong grades.
In January 2023, Dr Wilkes wrote a gushing post about her daughter’s intelligence on her sixth birthday.
She described Clementine as a ‘girl wonder, mini genius, star performer and future leader of the world’.
‘It’s hard to believe you are six my beautiful girl!!’ the post read.
Dr Wilkes was reportedly able to justify her daughter’s absences from class with believable excuses including illness and holidays.
She was enrolled in the state’s homeschooling system this year, which requires parents to provide annual progress reports and program summaries.
But questions remain as to where the young girl was being educated given she and her mother never took up residence at a $1.27million Norman Park townhouse Dr Wilkes bought more than two-and-a-half years ago.
Questions remain as to where Clementine was receiving homeschooling given she and her mother never took up residence at a $1.27million Norman Park townhouse Dr Wilkes bought more than two-and-a-half years ago
CCTV showing Dr Wilkes taking out the bins on the property, 24 hours before her death
The pair were found at a $1000-a-night Airbnb property, located about 20km from the pair’s Norman Park home, on the afternoon of September 29
Dr Wilkes was officially listed as a resident of Norman Park, but neighbours at her Longfellow Street townhouse told Daily Mail she had never moved into the residence.
In the last 18 months, Dr Wilkes stopped working shifts and is believed to have been hopping between short-term rental properties and using her car for storage as she struggled with her mental health.
The pair were found at a $1000-a-night Airbnb property, located about 20km from their Norman Park home, on the afternoon of September 29.
It is understood first responders found the pair’s bodies outside of the home and police are treating the deaths as a murder-suicide.
CCTV footage obtained by 7News showed the mother calmly taking out the bins on Sunday afternoon, less than 24 hours before police made the heartbreaking find.
The only sign of the tragedy that took place on the street – which features sprawling homes on large, rustic blocks – was a black Mercedes A200, parked down the road, metres away from the Airbnb.
Covered in white powder (used by forensics teams to detect fingerprints), the hatchback was labelled with Queensland Police stickers advising members of the public that authorities were aware of the abandoned vehicle.
Inside, a green plush toy was seen poking out of a brown paper bag from the store KidStuff, that was nestled on the front passenger seat.
Dr Wilkes was a highly regarded specialist who had worked across major Queensland hospitals, including Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra, for the past 13 years.
Police are preparing a report for the Coroner.
