Davidson deaths: Police investigate murder-suicide at horror home where family of four were killed
POLICE are treating the deaths of a family of four found inside their north shore home as a murder-suicide as shaken neighbours revealed the Colombian parents’ struggle with two autistic children.
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POLICE are treating the deaths of a family of four found inside their north shore home as a murder-suicide as shaken neighbours revealed the Colombian parents’ struggle with two autistic children.
Even as Maria Claudia Lutz spoke lovingly of Elisa, 11, and Martin, 10, she confided to neighbours on Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive in Davidson about the burden of bringing them up, along with the sleepless nights.
The children were found dead in their home with their mother, 43, and father, Fernando Manrique, 44, after police were alerted when neither the children nor Ms Lutz arrived at St Lucy’s Catholic School at Wahroonga yesterday morning. It is understood the “confronting” scene which met police officers also included the family’s dead dog.
Maria was rostered on for school canteen duty.
None of the bodies showed signs of violence and it is believed they were found in separate locations inside the house.
Autopsies and toxicology tests will determine the causes of death.
Forensic officers wearing gas masks and reading measurements from handheld meters entered the home as police continued their investigations into the night.
The coroner arrived at 9.30pm to begin the grim task of removing an entire family, including the two children, from their home.
Police would not confirm how long the family and their pet had been dead but Mr Manrique was due in the Philippines yesterday to meet with his business partner at Drake Business Logistics, where he had been chief technology manager since 2012.
A tearful Mick Kastrounis, 42, who lives opposite the couple’s home, said: “Nothing like this ever happens around here, it just goes to show you everyone has problems and you never know what happens behind closed doors,” he said.
“I’m genuinely stunned, they were the nicest couple who always said hello in the street.”
Neighbour Sonja Perry, who has lived in the street for 40 years, described the victims as a lovely family but noted Ms Lutz had spoken of how they often struggled with their children’s severe conditions.
“Maria used to tell me how hard it was on her and her husband having two kids who were deaf and dumb,” she said.
“She said it was a heavy thing on her heart and some days she found it impossible to cope. They were such a lovely, friendly couple.
“I’m shocked to see police cars outside their house.
“He (Mr Manrique) took pride in his home. He built it himself brick by brick and was proud of his house and family. I’m lost for words.”
Jack Kane said he would talk to the mother about the dog “a great big bear of a thing”.
“She seemed very nice, we can’t believe something like this could happen here.”
Despite being deaf and autistic, both children were described as artistically accomplished at St Lucy’s.
Both also played with local children at a nearby park, always accompanied by one of their parents.
St Lucy’s acting principal Warren Hopley said Ms Lutz was completely devoted to her children but had many sleepless nights coping with them.
“The school has been in a state of shock today and everyone will need some time to process what has happened,” Mr Hopley said.
“Marie was someone who always was willing to help out no matter what the school was doing and today’s events have had an impact everyone.”
Mr Hopley said the school raised the alarm earlier today when the mother did not show up for her regular canteen duty on a Monday leading police to make the grisly discovery about 11.20am.
“At that stage we did not think anything untoward had happened, we thought there might just have been a medical emergency with the children. We certainly did not think it was something this serious and tragic,” he said after the press conference.
“The teachers were told about lunchtime of the news and it was very hard for everyone to get on with the rest of the day because at a school this size everyone knows the students and parents.
Ms Lutz wrote about the joys and heartache of bringing up autistic children on her Facebook page on Autism Awareness day in April.
“People with autism have the needs and desires as you and me but they just see life in a different way,” she wrote.
“They think freely. They also feel overwhelmed when they are in public so they might do things that are not the norm of our society.
“My kids have taught me that giving small steps will take me to where I want to go and I will enjoy the journey even more.”
As detectives investigate what led to the tragedy, Northern Beaches LAC Chief Superintendent
Dave Darcy, said the two police officers who found the bodies had been debriefed after “finding it very confronting”.
He said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.
“No one saw anything at this stage, no one has witnessed this and can tell us what happened. It’s far too early to jump to any conclusions,’’ Supt Darcy said.
“This is a very serious investigation, two young children have died, and two adults.
“It’s just a tragedy, the mother in particular is held in very high regard. Since coming to Australia they’ve made a significant contribution and have done a fantastic job.”
Mr Manrique had an MBA from Macquarie University and formerly worked for Fuji Xerox Australia.
Speaking from the Philippines, his business partner Grant Mackenzie said he had been expecting Mr Manrique to join him. “I had no idea,” Mr Mackenzie, chief executive officer of Drake Business Logistics, said.
Police said they were attempting to make contact with the next of kin in Colombia overnight. A remembrance service will be held for Maria at the school where she worked in coming days.
If you are distressed by this story, contact Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14
—additional reporting Mark Morri & Janet Fife-Yeomans
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