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Man's family speak out after horrific murder-suicide kills baby

The sister of the man suspected of killing himself and his infant daughter in a murder-suicide has broken her silence to express her devastation over the loss of her "beautiful niece".

Henry Shepherdson's sister paid a heartbreaking tribute to nine-month-old Kobi Shepherdson late Thursday evening after the tragic event at the Whispering Wall at the Barossa reservoir Wednesday afternoon.

The 38-year-old dad was found dead at the scene with Kobi unresponsive in a baby carrier strapped to his body.

Desperate attempts to save her were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead about 4.30pm.

Kobi pictured with her auntie.
Kobi's auntie has shared her devastation after her brother and niece died. Source: Facebook

Kobi's auntie has since shared that her family has been left "completely devastated" following the incident.

"My heart is heavy and my tears are dry, robbed in the most cruelest way of my beautiful niece Kobi," she wrote to social media.

Addressing Kobi as her "little poppet", she said her niece would be "forever in my heart".

"We all grieve differently please respect our privacy as we go through these emotions," she added.

Confronting social media posts emerge

Haunting social media posts have also emerged from the Facebook account of Mr Shepherdson, who in recent years has spoken of mental health awareness.

"MENTAL HEALTH in this world is getting out of hand! RIP Ches," a post to his page in July 2017 read.

Nine-month-old Kobi pictured with her auntie.
Nine-month-old Kobi (pictured with her auntie) died on Wednesday afternoon with her dad. Source: Facebook

"PLEASE SPEAK UP - IT'S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY!" he wrote in a post a day later.

Five months ago was his most recent post, in which he shared a four minute video of Kobi and some words expressing his love for her.

"My little girl," he wrote, alongside an emoji with love-heart eyes, followed by "My heart is so full," and three red love hearts.

He then wrote his daughter's full name, Kobi Anastasia Isobel Shepherdson, and added an emoji of a baby with angel wings and a halo around its head.

SAPOL assistant commissioner Ian Parrott said investigations show a history of domestic violence between Mr Shepherdson and Kobi's mother.

"This is a highly distressing and emotional set of circumstances," assistant commissioner Parrott told reporters.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

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