Saving a serial killer: Scientists say they can prove Kathleen Folbigg didn't kill her four babies
Over a ten-year period from 1989, her four babies - 19-day-old Caleb, eight-month-old Patrick, ten-month-old Sarah and 18-month-old Laura - each died unexpectedly in their sleep.
At first the deaths weren't treated as suspicious, but Kathleen was eventually accused of killing her children by smothering them.
READ MORE: Scientists call for Kathleen Folbigg to be pardoned, released
For police detectives and prosecutors, it was an obvious equation. Four dead babies must equal murder. 60 Minutes
For police detectives and prosecutors, it was an obvious equation: four dead babies must equal murder.
In 2003, despite there being no physical evidence linking Folbigg to any of the deaths, a jury found her guilty of the crimes.
Kathleen, who always maintained her innocence, was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
READ MORE: Kathleen Folbigg grilled over diary entries
According to the law, Kathleen Folbigg is a murderer. 60 Minutes
Most Australians thought justice had been served, but a small group of supporters believed the woman now labelled Australia's worst female serial killer and turned to science to try to prove she wasn't responsible.
It's taken many years but eminent geneticists and cardiologists from Australia and around the world have now identified a rare genetic mutation in two of the Folbigg children, which they are almost certain caused the deaths.
Eminent geneticists and cardiologists from Australia and around the world have now identified a rare genetic mutation in two of the Folbigg children. 60 Minutes
Carola Vinuesa, Professor of Immunology at the Australian National University, believes science has overtaken the law and delivered an explosive twist in the infamous case.
"This would have been unthinkable at the time of the original trial," she tells reporter Tara Brown.
She and her colleagues fear that Kathleen Folbigg, like Lindy Chamberlain nearly 40 years ago, is the victim of a monumental miscarriage of justice.
In 2003, despite there being no physical evidence linking Folbigg to any of the deaths, a jury found her guilty of the crimes. 60 Minutes
The scientific evidence Professor Vinuesa and her team discovered has now been backed by 90 of the world's most eminent scientists, medical practitioners and academics.
The group, which includes two Nobel Laureates, has created Australian legal history by signing a petition pleading for Kathleen Folbigg to be immediately pardoned and freed.
"It is time for the legal system to accept they made a mistake," says Professor Vinuesa.
SUNDAY on 60 Minutes, the extraordinary genetic breakthrough that could free Australia's worst female serial killer.
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