‘Growing so fast’: Family photos before Blue Mountains tragedy
Images once painted a picture of a seemingly happy family, but now a heartbreaking alternative story has emerged after two children were found dead in their Blue Mountains home.
NSW
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Images shared on social media once painted a picture of a seemingly happy family, but now a heartbreaking alternative story has emerged after two children were found dead in their Blue Mountains home, and their mother remains under police guard in the hospital.
The bodies of brothers Russell and Ben Smith, aged 9 and 11, were discovered by their father, Nick Smith, at the family’s Faulconbridge property on Tuesday afternoon. After making the tragic discovery, Mr Smith called police, prompting a major investigation into the boys’ deaths.
Their mother, 42-year-old Trish Smith, was at the property when emergency services arrived and was transported to Westmead Hospital under police guard in a stable condition with self-inflicted wounds.
Trish’s Facebook page offers a glimpse into what appeared to be a loving family, with numerous family photos and comments from friends admiring their “beautiful” family life before the tragedy unfolded.
A 2021 photo captures the two brothers playing in a waterfall.
“This is so beautiful,” one user commented.
“What a magnificent pic, Trish,” another wrote.
In 2020, Trish shared an image of herself with her children and the family dog.
“I love them,” one person said.
“Gorgeous,” added another.
“Stunning! Love the real iso feels and how happy and content you all are,” commented a Facebook user.
A 2016 post shows the boys playing in a sandpit.
“Great to see how the backyard is coming along,” someone wrote.
“Very cute, great playing together,” another added.
In 2015, Ms Smith shared a photo of the boys sitting together in a cot, drawing several comments.
“Beautiful,” many remarked.
“Happy little monkeys,” one wrote.
“Gorgeous boys and always smiling,” said another.
The mother also replied to a comment on another image of her alongside the boys, where she said the pair are “growing so fast.”
Ms Smith has not been charged.
NSW Police said officers are being assisted by detectives from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
Blue Mountains Commander Superintendent John Nelson said Ms Smith was taken into police custody with “a number of injuries” but could not confirm if a weapon had been located.
“The status of those injuries are not known at this stage,” he said.
“I don’t know (if a weapon has been located) at this stage.”
When asked about whether Ms Smith had any history of mental health issues, Supt Nelson said: “What I can say about the mother is she is known to us but only for minor matters so it wouldn’t be appropriate at this stage to speak about (mental health).”
He said Mr Smith was “helping with inquiries and was the one who contacted police.”
“All avenues are open for investigation,” he said.
Supt Nelson said the discovery of the young brothers’ bodies was “about as tragic as it gets for any police veteran and emergency services officer.”
“The Blue Mountains is a very peaceful community,” he said, adding the boys attended school on Monday with “no concerns.”
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said as the investigation is in its “early stages”, she could not confirm the circumstances leading up to the deaths.
“Obviously it’s a very tragic scene,” she said.
“It is early stages and we’re not prepared to speculate on that at this stage.
“We’ve got all our investigators looking at the background and what has actually happened at that location.”
The Smith family is pictured on social media as a happy one. Photos posted on Ms Smith’s Facebook account show her two sons smiling for photos with Santa Claus on a beach for Christmas, as well as other happy snaps with both parents in more recent times.
In a post, Ms Smith published an image of a house being held up by red balloons in the shape of a love heart.
The caption accompanying the image said “you are not stuck at home, you are safe at home.”
Ms Smith also detailed online her thoughts on mental health while working during Covid, saying “mental health is not just for those diagnosed.”
Neighbours said they were shocked at the deaths, with one resident of the “usually very quiet street” saying she would often see the seemingly happy Smith brothers riding their bikes up the street.
“I can’t believe this has happened on my street,” another local woman said.
“I have seen the boys on their bikes around the street and I’m in total shock.
“I had just heard this afternoon they had been potentially hurt but then found out later.”
The woman said the home where the family lived was “a pretty quiet house.”
“They weren’t out and about a lot,” she said.
“It wasn’t like they were a noisy house.”
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