Twist in mum’s alleged hit and run murder

The woman accused of killing a Brisbane mother in an alleged hit-and-run incident is the new girlfriend of the mum’s ex, according to reports.

Queensland Police charged Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant, 24, with murder after she allegedly struck 23-year-old Kiesha Thompson while driving a silver Toyota Prado about 9am on Friday in the Logan suburb of Daisy Hill, 24km south of Brisbane’s CBD.

Ms Thompson was rushed to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition but died in hospital hours later.

Police have said that the two women knew each other, and that Ms Thompson had just dropped her daughter off at a daycare centre moments before Ms Sant allegedly drove at and struck the young mother.

Ms Sant, 24, then allegedly fled the scene.

The Courier Mail has reported that Ms Sant is the new girlfriend of Ms Thompson’s former partner.

Ms Sant’s car was seized on Saturday by police.

She had her matter briefly mentioned for the first time in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday.

Ms Sant was remanded into custody and will appear via video link on July 31.

She made no application for bail.

A 27-year-old man was also charged with Ms Thompson’s murder late on Monday night. The man, from Acacia Ridge, will face court on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Detective Inspector Chris Knight told media: “We will allege that the event was not in fact an accident and that lady who lost her life was in fact targeted by another individual.

“The young lady who lost her life was a mother, she had dropped her daughter off at daycare.

“It is a gross understatement to say anything other than that the family is deeply traumatised.”

The family of Ms Thompson released a statement on Monday following the tragic news.

Ms Thompson’s brother, Koby Torto, said his niece was the “light of (Kiesha’s) life” and the family would rally around the young girl following the death of her mother.

“My sister Kiesha had nothing short of a difficult life, but in the past couple years she worked tirelessly to create the best life for not only her but her child, who is the absolute light of her life,” Mr Torto said.

“Her life up to the end was exactly what she wanted but as all good things come, so do bad and she was taken from us.

“I cannot stress enough that her daughter was the absolute light of her life and we’re here to support her throughout her whole life.”

Ms Thompson’s aunt, Amanda Matthias, urged anyone with information about the incident to contact police.

“My niece Kiesha was tragically taken away from us,” she alleged.

“We are deeply grateful for those who worked tirelessly to save her,” Ms Matthias said.

“We plead to anyone who might have information to help us better solve this case, if anyone else is involved please come forward to police.”

Meanwhile, the family plan to set up a GoFundMe to help cover any expenses for Ms Thompson’s daughter.

Keyara Thompson said there were no words for “the pain of losing” her sister.

“We’re struggling with the enormity of her absence in our life,” Ms Thompson said.

“As we are working to rebuild our lives and focus on caring for her daughter, we need support.”