'Not answering calls': Dad's heartbreak over tragic 'murder-suicide'
Friends have revealed the husband and father of a Melbourne woman and three children who were found dead in a suspected murder-suicide is “heartbroken” and “not answering calls”.
Katie Perinovic, 42, and her children – seven-year-old Claire, five-year-old Anna and three-year-old Matthew – were identified by several media outlets as the four people found dead at a northwest Melbourne house.
Ms Perinovic’s 48-year-old husband Tomislav, who was also the father of the children, called emergency services to report the deaths at the Tullamarine home about 12.20pm (local time) on Thursday.
Police are preparing a report for the coroner after their initial investigations concluded the mother was “responsible for all four deaths”.
Following the deaths, Mr Perinovic assisted police with their inquiries and was later released without charge.
They do not believe the father was involved and are not looking for anyone else in relation to the matter, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
Friends told the Herald Sun Mr Perinovic was “heartbroken” over his family’s death.
Close friend Frankie Franjic said he and his wife visited the Perinovics’ home on Friday in hopes of seeing the grieving father to offer their condolences.
“He’s not answering calls. He’s heartbroken… that’s why I want to talk to him,” Mr Franjic told the Herald Sun.
The friend said Ms Perinovic was a “beautiful girl” and when he last saw her a few months ago, she appeared to be happy.
He added Mr Perinovic was “the most loving father ever” who spent a lot of time with his children.
Mr Franjic said the tragedy “just came out of nowhere… what brought this on? No warning signs at all”.
Tributes left outside Perinovics’ Melbourne home
Neighbours were shaken by the deaths and grieving locals began leaving flowers and other tributes outside the Tullamarine home on Friday as crime-scene cleaners later filtered in and out of the property.
Marie Groves, a neighbour of the family, told the ABC Ms Perinovic was a physiotherapist who had only recently returned to work after taking time off to care for Matthew.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill said police would support the families of those involved over the coming weeks.
“I know there will be many people in the community struggling to understand and come to terms with this tragedy,” he said.
“This has also been an incredibly difficult time for both the police and paramedics who responded and attended the scene yesterday.
“This has been an incredibly heart-wrenching experience for all concerned.”
With AAP
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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