New details emerge of 'normal and loving family' behind tragic murder-suicide
Neighbours have told 7 News of their shock after four young children have been left orphaned after their father killed their mother in a murder-suicide at Wangaratta.
On Wednesday police focused on the house next door, which 24 hours earlier had been at the centre of a siege, surrounded by special operations group officers.
The ordeal started with an argument between the woman and her 43-year-old husband.
Feeling scared, she fled next door with their four children but he gave chase, armed with a rifle.
Once inside the neighbour's home, the mother and four kids hid in a bedroom before the gun-wielding father smashed his way in threatening the neighbour with the rifle.
He eventually let the neighbour and children free before killing his wife and turning the gun on himself.
The tragedy has shocked neighbours and friends who say the couple seemed happy and in love.
“They were normal... outside, he was playing with the kids, we never saw him yell at them or anything,” one neighbour told 7 News.
Wangaratta Bishop John Parkes said the ordeal would have a lasting affect on the community.
“This is going to have a very deep impact that flows throughout the community, there are families involved, there are children involved, this is an enormous tragedy,” he said.
It is understood the children, aged between two and nine-years-old did not witness the shooting.
