GoFundMe for 2yo victim of Lismore murder-suicide at the hands of dad James Harrison amid outpouring of grief for mum Sophie Roome

The community has rallied to embrace a mother after the unimaginable loss of her innocent boy, described as “full of joy and love”, at the hands of his own father in Lismore on Sunday.

Dr Sophie Roome and little Rowan. Picture: Supplied

The community has rallied to embrace a mother after the unimaginable loss of her innocent boy, described as “full of joy and love”, at the hands of his own father in Lismore on Sunday.

Little boy Rowan, 2, was killed by his father James Harrison on Sunday during a custody visit after Harrison rigged up a deadly poisoning system to gas himself and his son to death.

The horrific DV murder-suicide sent shockwaves throughout the nation, as Rowan’s mother Dr Sophie Roome opened up to The Daily Telegraphon the pain of losing her son to “someone he (Rowan) should have been able to trust the most” – in an “evil and cowardly act of violence”.

Family friend Belinda Olding has organised a GoFundMe for Dr Roome “to use in any way she sees fit”.

The fundraiser which humbly asked for $5000 has exceeded $32,000 at time of publishing.

“Rowan’s family are devastated. No child should be killed by those who are meant to love and protect them,” Ms Olding wrote.

Little Rowan, a boy killed by his father in a tragic murder suicide in Lismore. Rowan, age 2, whose father James Harrison rigged up a system to poison them both on Sunday 19 May 2024. Photo: Supplied.

“It may be for a memorial, donation to a charity, personal use or to assist in trying to affect change to the horror that is domestic violence.”

On the GoFundMe page, Rowan was described as a “little boy full of joy and love”.

“Rowan was a delightful little boy, full of joy and love for his family and friends. He loved the beach, music and swimming,” Ms Olding wrote.

Dr Roome was at work at the local hospital, when the child’s father James Harrison, 38, a NSW Health business analyst, fatally poisoned the himself and the child by rigging up a deadly poisoning system inside the home.

The tragedy, which police are treating as a murder-suicide, was discovered when the two-year-old boy failed to arrive back at his mother’s home as planned on Sunday afternoon.

Richmond police officers canvassing the scene on Monday May 20 along with multiple forensic police teams after the shocking discovery of a father and his son who were found deceased in a unit on College St, East Lismore on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

A truly cruel and unimaginable crime, it is the first domestic violence related child death in Lismore, according to crime statistics authority, Boscar.

Police were alerted after Dr Roome contacted them around 5.30pm on Sunday because Mr Harrison had not returned their son to her custody.

Dr Roome had primary custody of Rowan, and Harrison frequently visited.

Friends revealed that Harrison’s concerning behaviour towards Dr Roome escalated when they separated, prompting her to go to Lismore Local Court in August 2023 and seek an apprehended violence order.

Police were aware of Harrison due to a history of domestic violence matters, however, they said these were “not significant issues”.

A three-wheel bike was parked in the carport beneath the unit which neighbours said belonged to the boy. Richmond police officers canvassing the scene along with multiple forensic police teams after the shocking discovery of a father and his son who were found deceased in a unit on College St, East Lismore on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Police attended the unit for a welfare check yet returned to Lismore police station when they couldn’t rouse Harrison.

After following up with family relatives police returned to the College St address, forced entry and made the tragic discovery.

Devastated friends of Dr Roome said she and Harrison moved to the Northern Rivers region last year, but separated a few months later.

In March this year, the AVO was extended by the court, banning Harrison from assaulting, stalking or intimidating Dr Roome.

Richmond police forensic police teams analysing the scene after the shocking discovery of a father and his son who were found deceased in a unit on College St, East Lismore on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

This comes after a widespread “inappropriate” email from NSW Health Clinical Excellence Commission Director of Information Management André Jenkins on Wednesday morning.

“There are no words to adequately describe the loss of a wonderful colleague and beloved friend,” Mr Jenkins said.

After considerable backlash the email was “recalled” with staff saying it was a “tone-deaf” message that failed to acknowledge that NSW Police are treating the deaths of Harrison and his son as a murder-suicide.

Richmond police officers canvassing the scene along with multiple forensic police teams after the shocking discovery of a father and his son who were found deceased in a unit on College St, East Lismore on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

The GoFundMe for Rowan can be found here.