Kathleen Joyce Heggs appears at Parramatta Court on murder charges

The woman who allegedly murdered her two grandsons in Coonabarabran has made her first court appearance.

The grandmother who allegedly murdered her two grandsons has appeared in court for the first time.

Kathleen Joyce Heggs, 66, was refused bail on two counts of murder at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.

Ms Heggs’ legal representation did not apply for bail and the hearing only lasted roughly 5 minutes.

She will reappear at Parramatta Local Court on the May 21 for a committal hearing.

The parents of two boys who were allegedly killed in Coonabarabran this week paid tribute to their sons, just as the police announced the murder charges against Ms Heggs.

Samantha Heggs and Troy Johnson told Nine News brothers Max, seven, and Sam, six, were extremely close and adored each other.

Nine reported the parents lost custody of their sons who were removed by the Department of Communities and Justice about four years ago.

Samantha Heggs and Troy Johnson said their sons Max, 7, and Sam, 6, adored each other. Picture: 9News

A photo of the children set up at a vigil. Picture: 9News

Mr Johnson said Max was never sick and was always happy and healthy.

“He was the happiest little kid he never cried, even as a baby he didn’t cry,’ he said.

“(Sam’s) the toughest little kid I’ve met, the way he went through the pain, the way he beat that cancer, he’s my hero.”

A candlelit vigil was held in memory of two boys whose bodies were found in a home in regional northwest NSW.

Max and Sam were found inside a home in Coonabarabran by police conducting a welfare check on Monday.

A vigil was held for brother Max Johnson, 7, and Sam, 6, in Coonbarabran after they were allegedly killed by their grandmother. Picture: 9News

Crime scene police and detectives at the house in Coonabarabran. Picture: NewsWire / Dean Marzolla

Ms Heggs was arrested at the scene and taken to a mental health facility in Orange.

Police believe the grandmother “attempted to self-harm” before she was arrested and taken to hospital.

A crime scene has been established and officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District have commenced an investigation under Strike Force Darnum, assisted by detectives from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

Originally published as Kathleen Joyce Heggs appears at Parramatta Court on murder charges