Details emerge of suspected murder-suicide near Toowoomba

UPDATE: POLICE say there is no cause of death for a seven-year-old killed in a suspected double murder suicide after a post mortem was conducted.

A dog stands guard at the property of the apparent murder-suicide. Pic: Liam Kidston.

POLICE say there is no cause of death for a seven-year-old killed in a suspected double murder suicide after a post mortem was conducted.

The grandfather suspected of killing his pregnant daughter Kris-Deann, 27, and her seven-year-old son Jackson in their home near Toowoomba had only weeks earlier told friends he “lived for his family”.

Jackson, 7, was found by his aunty tucked into bed, his lifeless body showing no visible injuries.

The bodies of the mother and son, along with the suspected killer Derek John Sharpley, 52, were found a day later when Kris-Deann’s sister Tara went to the house with her boyfriend Allan Brown to collect clothing.

Sharpley and his daughter were found with close-range rifle injuries to the head from a .223 calibre rifle. Police believe the grandfather turned the gun on himself after killing Kris-Deann and Jackson.

Detective Inspector David Isherwood this morning said there was no evidence to indicate who died in the house first.

“There is a scenario more likely the child may have been the person who died first but we really don’t know,” he said.

He said post moretems were being conducted today after one on the 7-year-old was completed.

“There is one being conducted on the grandfather,” Det Insp Isherwood said.

“The results of those post moretems will be available later this afternoon.

“With respect to the child there is no definitive cause of death, so at this stage we don’t know how the child died,” he said.

“That’s not saying that the forensic pathologist doesn’t know how the child died but they will not disclose their results until further tests are done.”

Det Insp Isherwood said a forensic examination of the house should be completed early this afternoon.

“It will then be handed back to the detectives,” he said.

“The detectives will conduct their inquiries in the house to make a determination whether there is any evidence there that may be relevant to what occurred on Sunday night.

“The problem we have here is that there is very little information available from the public because all virtually that was heard was three gunshots.

“There is no evidence that there was any disturbance at the residence before it occurred.

EARLIER: A LITTLE boy slain in what police suspect was a murder-suicide was found by his aunty still tucked into bed.

The grandfather suspected of killing his pregnant daughter Kris-Deann, 27, and her seven-year-old son Jackson in their home near Toowoomba had only weeks earlier told friends he “lived for his family”.

The bodies of the mother and son, along with the suspected killer Derek John Sharpley, 52, were found a day later when Kris-Deann’s sister Tara went to the house with her boyfriend Allan Brown to collect clothing.

Sharpley and his daughter were found with close-range rifle injuries to the head. Police believe the grandfather turned the gun on himself after killing Kris-Deann and Jackson.

Sharpley and the child were found in a bedroom while Kris-Deann was found in the bathroom. Jackson was found lifeless, tucked in to a bed, with no visible injuries.

Mr Brown told The Courier-Mail Tara, who is also pregnant, climbed through a window after they could not get inside the home. She then screamed out to him.

“She was screaming ‘they’ve been murdered, they’ve been murdered’,” Mr Brown said.

When he went inside he saw the bodies.

A dog stands guard at the property of the apparent murder-suicide. Pic: Liam Kidston.

“The gun was lying on the bed, I was stepping on the bullets on the way in,” Mr Brown said.

“I didn’t know if they were alive or not. So I went across the road and rang emergency and they said go and do CPR but it was way too late.

Kris-Deann Sharpley, her son Jackson, and her father Derek were found dead.

“It was something I will never forget.”

Some family members were yesterday adamant Sharpley would not harm his family, despite having a mental illness and a long history with police.

Mr Brown’s mother Doreen Field, 68, said they invited Sharpley and Jackson to their house for dinner about a week ago.

“He (Jackson) was running around and happy to see us,” she said.

“He (Derek) said ‘Doreen, my family is all I’ve got to live for’. Everyone was happy. It was a good day.”

Ms Field said Sharpley had previously attempted suicide but his health had improved.

“There is no way that man could have killed that little boy. He said ‘I love them, I love them’,” she said.

“He had just recovered from medical (issues). He was getting better, it was the first time he opened up last week.”

Neighbours heard gunshots on Sunday night but originally believed they were related to animals.

Family members said Kris-Deann had spent time caring for her dad after her mother Elizabeth died in 2011 in bed next to her husband.

She left her life in Toowoomba and moved back in with her father to support him.

Detective Inspector David Isherwood said police were conducting investigations to see if anyone else was involved in the deaths but, “at this stage, it does not look like that is the case”.

Cousin Joe Sharpley said he remembered Derek as “a good fellow”, who looked after his children.

He said he last saw his relatives a couple of years ago at the funeral for Mr Sharpley’s wife, Elizabeth.

“We’ve all been pretty quiet towards each other for a few years,” he said.

“Krissy was a good girl.’’

Kris-Deann Sharpley and her son Jackson lived with her father Derek near Toowoomba.

Police remained at the house yesterday. Det-Insp Isherwood said there was no known motive.

However The Courier-Mail has been told Sharpley was known to police for his substance abuse and had mental health problems.

Det-Insp Isherwoood said two neighbours heard three gunshots on Sunday about 10.30pm but there was nothing to suggest there was any incident leading up to the deaths.

He said police were still conducting investigations in relation to the firearm that was found in the bedroom.

The Courier-Mail understands Sharpley was unlicensed.

Biddeston store owner Paul Farmer, whose shop is across from the house, said “most people in the village have got guns for snakes, shooting sick cattle, you do hear shots”.

Mr Farmer said the boy was “a lovable little rascal”.

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