Family pictured after kids found dead
Two children have been found dead inside a Blue Mountains home with their mother rushed to hospital under police guard after being arrested.
In what’s been described as a “tragedy” which rocked the small tight-knit community, police were called to a Chapman Parade, Faulconbridge home just before 12.40pm on Tuesday due to concerns for the welfare of the two boys and the woman.
The bodies of two boys, aged nine and 11, were found inside the home by their father, prompting a major police investigation.
It is understood the father had access to the home but did not live at the property.
The boys’ mother, 42, has been transported to Westmead Hospital under police guard in a stable condition, suffering self-inflicted stab wounds.
Police said she was known to them for “minor matters”.
Police described the scene as “tragic” and a strike force has been established to investigate the horror incident.
“This is about as tragic as it gets for any police veteran, any emergency services, it’s a very tragic scene,” Superintendent John Nelson said.
“The Blue Mountains is a very peaceful community-minded environment, so the (residents) would be genuinely shocked.”
He said all avenues remain open at the early stage of the investigation.
“It is early stages and (we’re) not prepared to speculate on that (motive) at this stage,” he said.,
“This is about as tragic as it gets. (Community members) are genuinely shocked.”
The father contacted police with a concern for welfare, prompting police to race to the home.
Police said the investigation is still in its early stages, but the woman was suffering from a number of injuries.
Police are now attempting to piece together what happened inside the home.
They said the two boys were at school on Monday, and no concerns were raised, and are trying to establish their movements on Tuesday.
“We are not prepared to speculate at this stage. Our focus is coming to the bottom of what has happened in these tragic circumstances,” Superintendent Nelson said.
“Our community has lost two precious souls in the most awful circumstances,” Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill said in a statement.
“Now is a time to come together and remember these two beautiful children.”
A NSW Police spokesperson confirmed police are “not looking for anyone else” in relation to the incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
An investigation has been launched into the circumstances of the deaths, with detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad involved in the investigation.
Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help.
Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au
13YARN: Speak to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter on 13 92 76 or visit 13yarn.org.au
Are you anxious? Take the Beyond Blue quiz to see how you’re tracking and whether you could benefit from support