Heartbreaking detail at Rockhampton funeral for mother and child who were allegedly murdered by her husband

In a final heartbreaking show of unity, allegedly murdered Rockhampton mother Tayla Black and her daughter Murphy Margaret were buried in a single coffin at their funeral service.

Tayla, 30, and 11-week-old Murphy were buried together after her husband and father Mathew Cox allegedly killed them nearly three weeks ago on August 8.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at Rockhampton Baptist Church to say their farewells, and their friends and family paid heartbroken tribute after their senseless death.

A commemorative brochure filled with sweet photos of the couple read: “We love you both every day of your life and will miss you for the rest of our lives.”

In the obituary for the mother and daughter, they were described as “precious and deeply loved” by their devastated family and friends.

It also detailed a special bond between Ms. Black and Murphy Margaret.

No photos of Cox played in the slideshow, with no reference made to the alleged killer of the mother and daughter during the service.

Tayla’s parents, Gerry and Annmaree Black, acknowledged the support the Rockhampton community has given their family over the past three weeks.

Ms Black said the couple felt “everyone wrap their arms around us”.

“We were in our own little bubble and we knew we had so much support,” she said.

“So for now, all that’s left for us to say is forever in each other’s arms, fly up and visit us often.” That has always been Tayla Black. Will always be Murphy Margaret. We love you.’

Heartbroken family and friends gathered on Friday to say goodbye to Rockhampton’s mother and daughter Tayla Cox and Murphy Margaret (pictured front of memorial booklet).

Rockhampton mother Tayla Cox and daughter Murphy Margaret passed in a single coffin at their funeral service (pictured)

Tayla Black (right), 30, and her baby girl Murphy (centre) were found dead at their Rockhampton home. Her husband Matthew (left) has been charged with her murders

“Today we would first like to thank family, friends and colleagues. Detective Senior Constable Peter Cumin, the entire QPS team and first responders – for all of you who are helping us through this difficult time,” Mr Black said.

“Thank you Pat Clemms, the Coronial Council, thank you Sarah from Queens Homicide Support Group, thank you Tony Williams from Rockhampton Regional Council and to the whole community for your support – we say thank you.”

Ms Black met Cox while they worked together at the Flight Centre.

The couple began dating in 2015, got engaged in November 2018 and married in May 2021 on the Gold Coast.

Police first visited the Rockhampton home for a welfare check after Cox went to Fortitude Valley Police Station on August 10.

He reportedly drove his wife’s white MG SUV to Rockhampton Airport and flew to Brisbane, where he stayed two nights at the Constance Fortitude Valley Hotel.

Ms Black and her daughter were later found dead at their home in Rockhampton.

Cox was charged with double murder the night he turned himself in.

Police said there had been no domestic violence between the couple in the past as Cox’s heartbroken parents broke their silence on the tragedy.

Cox’s parents, Denis and Linda Lind, released a statement earlier this month.

“We have lost a beautiful daughter-in-law, Tayla, as well as our beloved granddaughter, Murphy,” the couple wrote.

“At this point we have very little further detail and we are in absolute shock.”

“We ask the media to respect our privacy as we mourn and try to process what happened.”

A commemorative brochure was filled with photos of the allegedly murdered mother and daughter

Hundreds of mourners gathered at Rockhampton Baptist Church to say their farewells, and their friends and family paid heartbroken tribute after their senseless death

The single white coffin arrives at Rockhampton Baptist Church on Friday

His affairs were first raised in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. He failed to appear in court and remains behind bars at the Brisbane Correctional Centre.

Cox was ordered to appear again on October 30 and give a brief hearing of evidence by October 9.

Police will claim Cox was staying at an apartment complex on Constance Street in Fortitude Valley before turning himself in to police two days after the alleged murder.

After police visited the Rockhampton home, a crime scene was established and several police, forensic and science officers scoured the property over the coming days, combing every surface of the home.

In the obituary for the couple (pictured), they were described as “precious and deeply loved” by their devastated family and friends

Matthew Cox and Tayla Black (pictured while pregnant) lived in Victoria before moving back to Rockhampton after buying their home in November 2022

Proud grandmother Linda (right) recently shared a photo posing with her son Matthew Cox (left) and baby girl Murphy

Ms Black grew up in Rockhampton and attended St Ursula’s College in nearby Yeppoon.

She was a repair coordinator for a construction company in the Rockhampton suburb of Berserker. At the time of her death she was on maternity leave.

“Always be kind,” reads her Facebook bio.

She and Cox lived in Victoria for some time during their relationship and had been together for almost eight years, according to his Facebook account.

They moved back to Rockhampton after purchasing their three-bedroom home on Park Avenue in November 2022.

The move came as Cox secured a job at a local radio station while his wife was celebrating the purchase of their new home on Facebook.

“New chapter, can’t wait to make so many great memories with our beautiful little family,” Ms. Black wrote.

In February, she shared a happy snap of her husband cradling her baby bump while enjoying a break on Great Keppel Island.

“We can’t wait to meet you,” she wrote.