Young girl's heartbreaking note after Melbourne family tragedy
Grieving locals have begun leaving flowers outside a north-west Melbourne home where police believe a Victorian mother killed her three children before taking her own life.
The bodies of Katie Perinovic, 42, and her children seven-year-old Claire, five-year-old Anna, and three-year-old Matthew were found inside the home on Thursday leaving a community struggling to understand the tragedy.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill said police would continue to 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."
‘Claire was my BFF’
Neighbours of the family were shaken by the incident and a growing pile of tributes sit outside the Tullamarine home.
"I used to see the children, they used to play in the cubby house at the back. It's really sad," one neighbour told reporters.
"They were beautiful, a lovely family. This is going to be felt for a very, very long time - not just the adults but the kids. The kids are really going to feel this,” another local said.
Among the flowers a hand-written note left by a young girl describes five-year-old Claire as her BBB – best friend forever.
“To Claire, Anna (and) Matthew,
“You guys are really nice, loving and caring and Claire was my BFF always.
“Love from Anabelle.”
Neighbour Marie Groves told the ABC the family attended her daughter's birthday party last year.
"It's so close to home, these are people who've spent time in my home, my kids love their kids," Ms Groves said.
"How am I going to tell my kids?"
She said Ms Perinovic was a physiotherapist who had only recently returned to work after taking time off to care for Matthew.
According to the Herald Sun, Ms Perinovic left the clinic "unexpectedly" three months ago.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Mark Galliott earlier said the situation was "difficult to comprehend".
"This will have long-lasting effects on the police that attended, on extended family, the community, the neighbourhood, the emergency services and everybody else involved," he said.
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.
with AAP
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