Police investigate Melbourne family deaths
The Glen Waverley community is in mourning for a young family killed in a suspected murder-suicide in their south-east Melbourne home.
It has been revealed authorities visited the home after the three-year-old girl Divya Sharma failed to attend day care for the second day running.
Police discovered the youngster dead in her Glen Waverley home along with her older brother Divesh and parents Nilesh, 36, and Priti, 32.
Only months earlier the family had survived a horrific car accident in the Dandenong Ranges when their car ran off the road and crashed into a tree.
Mr Sharma's uncle Abhay Singh said that the family were dragged from the wreck minutes before the car exploded.
Neighbour Edwin Sawaya told Fairfax: "They were both injured. The wife was in rehabilitation for about a month, but she was looking all right and recently she went back to work.
"He said he blacked out, that's what he said. When she was injured he was taking her to the rehabilitation centre."
Police say the four deaths are being treated as a murder-suicide with officers stressing that no suspects are being sought.
The father was found in a hallway, the others in their bedrooms.
Post-mortem examinations are being undertaken today, and results are expected tonight.
Forensics are conducting an examination of the house.
Family saw no clues
Uncle Abhay Singh said the deaths had 'devastated' his family.
"It's a mystery," Mr Singh said.
"There's no answer to it."
He said the Fijian Indian family had moved to Australia several years ago and had lived in the area for two or three years.
The family had looked happy at a party with relatives in Mulgrave on Saturday, Mr Singh said.
"Everybody is devastated," Mr Singh said.
"No one can recover from that.
"They were a really lovely family, very reserved. He was an accountant, she was also well qualified. It is shattering."
Searching for answers, the Sharma's devastated family say there were no obvious signs of problems and have put forward their own theory on what happened.
"Must be a gas tank or something must have exploded," Mr Singh said.
Community in shock
The Glen Waverley South Primary School where five-year-old Divesh started as pupil this year is in shock.
A bright and popular little boy, he was elected as a school representative.
Principal Con Vellios told 7News: "Divesh was a very popular member of the class, he was very well-liked. He liked to share his thoughts and ideas with the class, and represent his class's thoughts and ideas.
"Teachers in his classroom have been deeply affected by this tragic news."
Staff and students have been offered counselling and support.
Staff at the Greenland Early Learning Centre, where both children used to attend, say they were loved by everyone.
Kindergarten teacher Manjit Kaur told 7News: "They were very well behaved little children. Their manners were very good...they were very bright children."
Fellow teacher Carissa Effemey added: "He (Divesh) always came up and said 'hello', and gave cuddles. He wanted to interact all the time...he was a beautiful boy.
"It's hard to function today, we are all in complete shock."
'It's a quiet neighbourhood'
Neighbour Michael Sawaya said the sudden deaths had rocked the usually quiet neighbourhood.
"Everybody is shocked," he told reporters at the scene.
"I don't think many people knew them."
Josh Mancuso, 24, who has been living in the area for three months, said he often saw a mother and her daughter, who he thought looked to be about 10, come and go from the property, but they kept themselves to themselves.
"I haven't interacted with them, I've seen them briefly in and out of the court," he told reporters.
"It doesn't happen here, it's a very quiet area," he added.
Another resident Ginger Ford added: "Glen Waverley's not normally like this, it's usually a quiet, family place."
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978, Kids Helpline 1800 551 800, or SANE 1800 18 SANE (7263)
