Police confirm autopsies conducted on Wayne Godinet and five sons killed in Russell Island fire tragedy

Police have revealed they have so far been unable to determine how a fire started at a Russell Island home that left a father and his five young sons dead.

Police have revealed they have so far been unable to determine how a fire started at a Russell Island home that left a father and his five young sons dead.

“Extensive investigations to date have failed to identify the cause of the fire,” a statement released by police on Friday said.

Autopsies on the six victims of the Russell Island fire tragedy have been completed but officials warn it could be weeks before the cause of the blaze is known.

Wayne Godinet and his five sons perished in the horror fire that destroyed the family home on Sunday morning.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said the post mortems of Wayne Godinet and his five sons, aged between three and 11 had been “finalised”.

“The post mortems have been finalised … some preliminary results have come back on those today,” he told The Courier-Mail on Thursday.

“I’m awaiting the final determination through the rest of the day.”

Det Supt Massingham initially said on Monday police were keeping an “open mind” about the investigation, after a fire ripped through the Todman St house on Sunday morning.

Wayne Godinet and his five sons died in a fire at Russell Island.

“Extensive investigations to date have failed to identify the cause of the fire,” the statement said.

An extensive report will be prepared for the coroner now that the post-mortem examinations have been completed.

The victims’ families have been updated on investigation and support continues to be provided.

The updates on the investigation came as Mr Godinet’s family, from New Zealand and interstate, held a moving memorial at the site of the deadly fire.

Many of Mr Godinet’s family flew in from New Zealand earlier this week, to be reunited with his partner, Samantha Stephenson, who escaped the burning home, with her younger sister.

Close to 100 people attended the vigil, gathering together at the top of the hill before walking down to the property arm in arm.

Family friend Peter MacLaughlin escorted a distraught Rebecca Stephenson, the boys’ maternal grandmother, to the site where she embraced Mr Godinet’s mother and grandmother in tears.

A traditional Hakka was performed and water was thrown on the burnt rubble of the house.

Family members could be seen walking through the rubble and around the site where forensic detectives and Disaster Victim Identification experts had been combing through just one day prior.

Samantha Stephenson did not attend the memorial.

Mr MacLaughlin was one of the first to arrive at the scene of the ferocious blaze on Sunday morning, and described how Ms Stephenson ran into his arms while screaming for her children.

“She is obviously completely broken right now, she can’t even get three words out, but meeting with the family, that is a huge help for her,” he said.

Coroner Donald MacKenzie (hat) and Andrew Massingham Detective Super Intendant at the scene where Police and Emergence services working on the Russell Island house fire that saw Wayne Godinet and 5 children die, Russell Island, Russell Island, on Wednesday 9th August 2023 – Photo Steve Pohlner

Ms Stephenson’s sister Connie Campbell spoke fondly of her nephews while recounting the events of Sunday morning.

“They were very happy and very loved, and I think anyone would tell you that,” Ms Campbell said.

“I would regularly go on walks with Nicky, take him to daycare, take the four-year-old boys to school, take even the older boys out … to school.

“Every one of them would greet every person they would see on the street.

“Nicky would always … he was only three, he would greet neighbours he’s never seen before. I watched every day how much those boys were cared for and loved.”

Lead detective Andrew Massingham and coroner Donald MacKenzie arrived at the scene on Wednesday.

A memorial has been growing at the local school. Photo: Steve Pohlner

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the investigation into the fatal fire could potentially take days, if not weeks.

“These investigations are incredibly complex and difficult, so while the community and I think many people are hoping that we might have a resolution in the next day or two, that might not be the case,” she said. Ms Carroll revealed police had spoken with Ms Stephenson about what had happened.

“You can’t describe what it’s like for a mother to have to go through what she’s gone through,” she said.

Meanwhile, fundraising platform GoFundMe has warned of fraudulent pages seeking to cash in on the tragedy.

“We have mobilised the GoFundMe crisis response team and they are monitoring the platform for fundraisers relating to the incident,” the organisation said.

“This team will be continually monitoring, vetting and verifying all fundraisers.”

Police continue to appeal for any relevant information that may assist police with their investigation.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, & Katarina Carroll Commissioner of the Queensland Police. Photo: Steve Pohlner