Dead Davidson family named in suspected murder-suicide

A MOTHER found dead with her husband, their autistic children and the family dog in a suspected murder-suicide at their Davidson home yesterday was struggling to cope, a neighbour said.

Mother Maria Claudia Lutz Pena and her children Martin and Elisa. Source: Facebook.

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A MOTHER found dead with her husband, their autistic children and the family dog in a suspected murder-suicide at their Davidson home yesterday was struggling to cope, a neighbour said.

Sonja Perry, who has lived in the street for 40 years, yesterday said the 43-year-old Maria Claudia Lutz Pena’s life with her children was not without difficulty.

“She said it was a heavy thing on her heart (having two autistic children) and some days she found it impossible to cope. They were South American, such a lovely, friendly couple. I’m shocked to see police cars outside their house. They never caused anyone problems.”

Kirsty Den Brinke, local mother Murder suicide reported — possibly 2 adults and 2 children In Sir Thomas Mitchell drive Davidson. Picture:

Mrs Pena and her Husband Fernando Manrique were dead inside their unit along with Elisa, 11, and Martin, 10, yesterday.

Police were confronted with the horror scene inside the four-bedroom house in Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive about 11.20am after the mother failed to arrive for work at the children’s school St Lucy’s in Wahroonga.

When there was no answer at the door, officers forced their way in and found the couple, their 10-year-old son and his sister, 11, dead along with the family dog.

Northern Beaches Commander Supt Dave Darcy said while police were not searching for a fugitive or suspect, it was too early to comment on the circumstances surrounding the family deaths. “There are four people that have been killed and it is very early in the piece,” Supt Darcy said in a press conference at 2.30pm yesterday.

“I think it is too early to come to conclusions.”

However he said the family, particularly the mother, “were held in very high regard in the local community”. “Since coming to Australia they have made a significant contribution to how we live,” he said.

The scene outside a home in Davidson. Picture: Martin Lange

Homicide squad and police forensic squads were on scene and “gradually working our way through a very tragic circumstance to get to the bottom of it”.

“I used to walk up to the oval and they’d say hello,” Ms Perry said. “The children were very nice kids but didn’t speak at all. “They were just a normal family, the kids would play in the frontyard.”

Local mother Kirsty Den Brinke said she could not believe something like this could happen on her quiet suburban street.

“It is really quiet around here and very family-friendly. This is going to shake the whole community,” she said.

A crime scene has been established and will be examined by forensic investigators.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

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