'Unimaginable pain': Dad speaks after sons found dead in Blue Mountains home

“We cannot understand how our boys have been taken this way, and we appreciate the kindness and compassion shown by the community.”

The heartbroken dad of two young boys found dead in a Blue Mountains home this week has spoken of his “unimaginable pain and distress”.

Brothers Russell and Ben Smith, aged 9 and 11, were found dead in their beds by their dad Nick on Tuesday afternoon after he had not had any contact from his estranged wife, Trish, for an “unusual” amount of time.

Nick has now penned a tribute to his “happy, funny, outgoing” sons who were “very much loved by their family and friends”.

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“Like other boys their age, they loved sports, soccer, the Penrith Panthers, fishing, books, music, spending time with their friends, and Max their pup,” he said.

“We cannot understand how our boys have been taken this way, and we appreciate the kindness and compassion shown by the community.”

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Nick Smith penned a heartfelt tribute to his sons Ben and Russell after they were found dead on Tuesday. Mum Trish has been arrested. Picture: Daily Telegraph

Mum remains under police guard

The boys’ father, who is separated from 42-year-old Trish and did not live in the Blue Mountains home but had access to it, called Triple-0 after finding their sons deceased and Ms Smith with suspected self-inflicted injuries. 

The mother was flown to the Westmead Hospital by helicopter, where she remains under police guard and in stable condition. 

She has since been arrested, though no charges have been laid.

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The two boys were allegedly found dead in their beds, while Trish was allegedly found was self-inflicted stab wounds. Picture: Daily Telegraph

"The residents are genuinely shocked"

Speaking to reporters, Superintendent John Nelson explained it was too early to determine the cause of the “tragic scene”.

“It is early stages, and (we’re) not prepared to speculate on that (motive) at this stage,” he said. “This is about as tragic as it gets for any police veteran, any emergency services turning up there.” 

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“The Blue Mountains is a very peaceful community-minded environment, so the (residents) would be genuinely shocked.” 

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said it was a “tragic situation”. 

“I think the older and more experienced you get in this job, things like this still cut to the core,” Ms Webb told reporters.

Originally published as 'Unimaginable pain': Dad speaks after sons found dead in Blue Mountains home