Neighbours have shared their shock after five family members including three children, a mother and a grandmother were discovered in a Perth home this weekend in what’s reported to be a suspected massacre.
WA Police so far haven’t confirmed how long the bodies were inside the home in Bedford, but told reporters in an emotional press conference that some of the deceased included women and children. They later confirmed on Monday morning that the five people were twin two-year-old girls, a three-and-a-half-year-old girl, their mother and grandmother.
“It’s just so sad, they’ve got young kids – it’s horrific on every level,” neighbour Maria Manfredini told the publication.
More neighbours told 7 News they hadn’t seen the family for at least a week, with Desrie Cambos explaining to the news outlet: “We thought they were on holiday, they haven’t been there all week.”
The shocking discovery came after a man in his 20s visited a regional WA police station on Sunday morning. He was questioned, but it’s unclear if he’s related to the victims and no charges have been laid yet.
Speaking in a press conference, West Australia Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Steel told residents there are no fears for public safety at this time.
“Sadly at that location police have located the bodies of a number of deceased people including women and children,” he said.
“This is a tragic event and will have an impact on family and friends, the community, and the emergency services who first responded to the tragic scene.
“It will send a ripple through the community of Western Australia.”
It comes months after another tragic mass death in Margaret River in May, which saw Katrina Miles, her four children Taye, 13, Rylan, 12, Ayre, 10, and 8-year-old Kayden and her parents Peter Miles, 61, and Cynda Miles, 58, all found dead at their home.
It was later alleged that Peter Miles killed his family members before ending his own life, but that is yet to be officially confirmed by a coroner.