The man accused of murdering his foster daughter Tiahleigh Palmer has been put in an induced coma, it has been revealed on the day he was due for his first court appearance.

Rick Thorburn was charged yesterday with murdering the 12-year-old and dumping her body in a river, with the arrest coming 11 months after Tiahleigh's body was found.

At the time, it was reported that Thorburn had dropped Tiahleigh off at school the morning she disappeared. Six days later fishermen found her naked body on the banks of the Pimpama River.

Thorburn, who was a pallbearer at Tiahleigh's funeral, collapsed at the police watchhouse last night after being charged and was taken to hospital.

His lawyer Kelly Thompson visited the Princess Alexandra Hospital this morning, telling a court hearing the 56-year-old had been put into an induced coma.

"There is no indication when he will be brought out of that at this stage," she said.

The case was adjourned until December 21.

Rick Thorburn has been charged with Tiahleigh's murder. ( ABC News: Josh Bavas )

Police swooped on the Thorburn's Chambers Flat home, south of Brisbane yesterday, arresting Thorburn, his wife Julene and sons Josh and Trent.

Trent, 19, has been charged with incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice, and was denied bail this afternoon.

Prosecutors argued Trent had "abused his position as big brother and took advantage" of Tiahleigh.

Furthermore, his behaviour during the investigation had been "misleading and fabricated".

Julene and her son Josh have also been charged with perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The charges came after Tiahleigh's biological mother Cindy took to social media to out Rick Thorburn as the former owner of a car seized by police last week.

Trent Thorburn has been charged with incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice. ( AAP )

Detective Inspector Damien Hansen held a handful of press conferences yesterday as the case rapidly developed.

He said Julene Thorburn had decided to talk to police.

"She is cooperating with us at this stage," he said.

"She will be a key witness.

"I won't go into detail what she is providing, she is still providing it."

Tiahleigh had her 'ups and downs'

Tiahleigh's biological mother Cindy arrives at court. ( ABC News: Mia Armitage )

The foster family who looked after Tiahleigh for two years before the Thorburns were among Cindy Palmer's supporters at court.

Former foster brother Cameron Pemberton said Tiahleigh was feisty, but fitted into their family well.

"She had her ups and downs, like any kid really," he said.

"It's just a shame that it's come to this really.

"We'll be here to support Cindy the whole way through.

"It's a total shock, you don't expect that from a carer."

Cameron said the six-day delay before police announced Tiahleigh was missing should never happen again.

"It's not a good thing to have to wait around for someone to put an alert out," he said.

"It finally got done, it should've been done quicker, it shouldn't have taken so long."

Cameron and Wayne Pemberton (LtoR) fostered Tiahleigh for two years before the Thorburns. ( ABC News: Andrew Kos )

'Who dunnit' investigation

Police have not revealed how they believe Tiahleigh was killed, but Detective Inspector Hansen said it had been a "very tough" 11-month investigation, sifting through 3,500 separate lines of inquiry.

"It is one of the most difficult I have been involved with," he said.

Josh Thorburn has been charged with perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice. ( AAP: Dave Hunt )

"Some jobs aren't easy.

"There was no person located at the scene admitting it, it was a real 'whodunnit' type of investigation.

"We believe we have sufficient evidence to take this before court."