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

A coronial inquest into the murder of a 10-year-old girl in rural New South Wales has commenced.

Bridgette "Biddy" Porter, from Orange in the state's central west, was killed in 2020.

Her killer was found guilty but not criminally responsible during a hearing in the Supreme Court in November 2021.

They were detained in a forensic health facility in NSW.

State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan granted a request from Biddy's parents, Rebekah Keukenmeester and Dominic Porter, in 2024 to hold an inquest after a request for a coronial investigation was denied in 2023.

Counsel assisting the coroner Peggy Dwyer SC used her opening statement to describe the circumstances of Biddy's death as "violent and traumatic".

She said there were 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".

Dr Dwyer told the inquest Biddy loved art, poetry and playing with friends. She said Biddy's best friends described her as responsible, intelligent, dependable, terrific, entertaining, and a genius.

The coroner was told that the inquest would explore evidence related to the lead-up to Biddy's murder, but would not linger on the events of her death.

"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 said.

She said the inquest would examine whether there were "systemic failings or early warning signs", with a view to preventing similar deaths.

Under NSW law, the killer cannot be identified.

Dr Dwyer said they would be referred to by the pseudonym XR throughout the inquest.

Mental health concerns

The coroner heard that in June 2019 XR admitted to a family member that they had killed six chickens and put them in a fire.

The inquest was told about a diary entry from June 19, 2020, which was described as "very disturbing".

"[They] detailed fantasising about killing people, including [their] parents, her family and friends," Dr Dwyer told the inquest.

XR had seen "cat's eyes" and heard a voice telling them to kill, according to the diary.

Dr Dwyer told the inquest during a conversation between XR and a family member about killing the chickens, XR said, "I do these things because I don't feel real".

The inquest also heard that XR had a fascination with knives and that they owned four at the time of the murder.

They had also been given a tomahawk.

The inquest has been told that a relative of XR had booked a doctor's appointment and that the GP had referred them to a psychiatrist in Sydney.

But this medical attention was not available before Biddy was killed.

Dr Dwyer told the inquest that after Biddy's murder, XR had been assessed by psychiatrists and diagnosed with schizophrenia.

XR was found to have been experiencing symptoms of psychosis at the time of the killing.

Family grief

The father of XR has been one of the first witnesses to give evidence.

Dr Dwyer asked him if there was anything in his child's interest in knives that worried him.

"No, not at all," he replied.

The man said he recalled being told that XR had killed chickens and said he had not been surprised by that.

"I was upset [they had] done it without permission," he told the inquest.

"At the time I never gave it a second thought."

He said he recalled XR describing seeing "cat's eyes" and later learned they had also heard "voices" but thought it could have been imagination and that some behavioural incidents were a result of bullying.

The witness described XR's relationship with Biddy before her death as "unreal" and that he was not concerned that XR would physically harm anyone.

"[It] never crossed my mind that [XR] could harm a single thing," the witness said.

He recalled the moment he heard Biddy had been killed.

"I don't know how many times I said 'what' … I started standing up and by the time I was on the ground," he said.

He finished his evidence by offering an apology to Biddy's parents.

"We're very sorry for the loss of Bridgette," he told the inquest.

"[It's] unimaginable for everyone involved. Very distressing for us to talk about."

Parents' campaign

Biddy's parents started campaigning for an inquest in July 2024, on the fourth anniversary of their daughter's murder.

Their efforts were triggered by a decision to grant their daughter's killer escorted day release from the facility where they were being held.

Biddy's mother Rebekah Keukenmeester said that ruling by the Mental Health Review Tribunal, as well as the fact that Biddy's identity had been suppressed, spurred them into action.

Under NSW law the name of a child murder victim cannot be published or broadcast without the consent of senior next of kin, such as parents.

Ms Keukenmeester and Dominic Porter have given the ABC permission to use Biddy's name and image.

Ten witnesses are expected to give evidence during the inquest.

Dr Dwyer said the intent of the hearing was to provide answers to Biddy's parents and prevent future tragedies, as well identifying whether there were systemic problems or red flags "that were missed".

"It's not a court of blame or a court of shame," she told the coroner.

Dr Dwyer said the aim of the inquest was to "prevent this tragedy affecting another family".

The inquest continues.