Experts claim Kathleen Folbigg's daughters could have died from a genetic condition which caused their hearts to stop - as more doubt is cast on their mother's murder convictions
- Genetics expert claims Kathleen Folbigg's children died due to 'genetic variant'
- Peter Schwartz said the variant was found in her and two of her dead children
- The genetics research is pushing for a re-evaluation of the 51-year-old's case
- Folbigg currently serving a minimum 25-year-sentence over deaths of children
- She has maintained her innocence, saying all four died of natural causes
An internationally recognised expert has argued that genetic variant could have killed Kathleen Folbigg's daughters.
In an exhibit to a Sydney inquiry examining Folbigg's convictions, Professor Peter Schwartz said the variant identified in the mother and her two daughters justifies re-opening the case.
Folbigg is serving a minimum 25-year-sentence over the deaths of her children Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura in the decade from 1989.
All of her children died before they were two years old.
An internationally recognised expert has argued that genetic variant could have killed Kathleen Folbigg's daughters (pictured Folbigg)
The world-leading genetics researcher is pushing for a re-evaluation of the 51-year-old's convictions in his letter written to the inquiry.
'My conclusion is that the accusation of infanticide might have been premature and not correct,' Professor Schwartz wrote.
The letter, submitted to the inquiry last month, was made public this week and says the genetic variant known as 'CALM2 G11' was found in Folbigg and two children.
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The CALM2 variant is a gene associated with long QT syndrome - a heart rhythm condition which can potentially cause fast, chaotic heartbeats increasing the risk of palpitations, fainting and sudden death.
Professor Schwartz said the identification of the variant in Folbigg and her two female children raises 'significant doubts to a significant extent'.
Another genetics researcher, Professor Carola Vinuesa, said it was likely the genetic variant caused the deaths of two of the girls.
Professor Vinuesa said she 'would not feel comfortable' excluding the genetic variant as a possible cause of death.
Both professors believe it is likely both Ms Folbigg's daughters died as a result of the CALM2 G114R variant, while the sons died of different causes.
The Crown's case was simply that Folbigg smothered her four children including Patrick (bottom left), Caleb (bottom right), Laura (top left) and Sarah (top right)
Two other experts, Professor Edwin Kirk and Dr Michael Buckley, argue the variant may have contributed to the deaths of Laura and Sarah, but was not the sole cause.
'It is possible the variant is pathogenic but is unrelated to the cause of death of Sarah and Laura,' they said in an exhibit to the inquiry.
'For this to be the sole cause of death for Sarah and Laura, an exceptional clinical scenario would be required.'
The NSW government in August 2018 agreed to a judicial review of Folbigg's convictions with hearings held in March and May this year.
She is serving a minimum 25-year-sentence over the deaths of her children Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura in the decade from 1989 (pictured in 2003)
Former NSW District Court chief judge Reginald Blanch QC, who presided over the inquiry, can refer the matter to the Court of Criminal Appeal if he finds there is reasonable doubt as to Folbigg's guilt.
Folbigg appeared in public for the first time in more than a decade in April, ahead of the third week of a judicial inquiry being held at the Coroners Court in Lidcombe, western Sydney.
She has always maintained her children all died from natural causes.
Folbigg was originally sentenced to 40 years prison with a non-parole period of 30 years.
Her sentence was later reduced to 30 years with a non-parole period of 25 years after a successful appeal, and she has so far served almost half of her sentence.
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