‘You’re my world’: Dad’s heartbreaking tribute to sons found dead in NSW home

More than 700 paid their respects to Ben and Russell Smith, who were found dead in their Blue Mountains home in early September. 

The father of the two boys who were fatally stabbed in their Blue Mountains home has delivered a heartbreaking eulogy for his sons, promising he would "never stop loving" them. 

On Wednesday morning, at least 750 loved ones gathered to pay their respects to the two young boys, Ben and Russell Smith, aged nine and 11, who were found dead in their Faulconbridge family home on Tuesday, September 10.

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The bodies of brothers Russell and Ben Smith, aged 9 and 11, were discovered by their father, Nick Smith, on Tuesday, September 10.

“Boys, it’s been an absolute, absolute privilege to be your father”

The funeral service, which took place on Wednesday morning, saw hundreds of people attending the church and sharing their respects for the two boys. 

Their father, Nick, who allegedly discovered the boys’ bodies in the NSW home, delivered a harrowing tribute to his sons, whom he referred to as the “biggest pleasures and joy of [their loved ones’] lives”. 

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“Boys, it’s been an absolute, absolute privilege to be your father,” he said. “I hold you so deeply in my heart.

“You are loved by your family, through your friends, through the community, through the school, through your soccer club, through the Panthers, throughout society.

“You will be so missed. You had such beautiful little lives, such beautiful, beautiful adventures.” 

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Ben and Russell were described as “wonderful, cheeky, funny, charismatic boys” who “made the world a better place”. 

“You’re my world. You’re my little Ben, my Russ, you’re my best crew,” dad Nick continued. “I’m gonna miss you two so much. Your memories are your legacy.

“I love you so much. I will never stop loving you. No one else will either.”

Mourners embraced each other outside the church, which was overflowing with loved ones sharing their final goodbyes to the two boys. 

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

Mourners gathered outside the church to pay their respects to the young boys. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

It will be alleged that the boys’ dad found their bodies in their beds, with emergency services called to the scene following reports of welfare concerns for a woman and two children. 

It’s understood the boys’ father was not living at the Blue Mountains property when he allegedly discovered his sons’ bodies. 

The boys’ mother, Trish Smith, 42, was found with multiple stab wounds. She has since been charged with the alleged murder of her two sons. Police allege the boys were murdered between 7.30pm on September 9 and 12.30pm on September 10, the day they were found. 

Appearing at the Parramatta Bail Court on September 14 and represented by solicitor Paul McGirr, Ms Smith did not apply for bail. 

Speaking outside court, her solicitor said “a lot of people [are] hurting” following the incident, which he described as an “absolute tragedy”. 

“At this stage I can’t say anything more in relation to what’s going to happen with the matter until we get all the material,” he said. 

“There’s a lot of family members who are really hurting in respect of this – parents, grandparents and the like. We’d ask that you respect that privacy.”

Ms Smith is expected to face court on November 8.

Originally published as ‘You’re my world’: Dad’s heartbreaking tribute to sons found dead in NSW home