Mt Sheridan murder-suicide: Police investigate deaths of James and Krystel Paul inside Cairns home

Neighbours have described the tragic moment a nine-year-old girl knocked on their door, telling them her dad had shot her mum, in a suspected murder-suicide that has sent shockwaves across Far North Queensland.

Neighbours have described the tragic moment a nine-year-old girl came to their home and told them her dad had shot her mum, in a suspected murder-suicide that has sent shockwaves across Far North Queensland.

Detectives are investigating the sudden deaths of a man and a woman on Tuesday night.

Police and emergency services crews were called to a Verbena Drive, Mount Sheridan address about 7.15pm to conduct a welfare check.

When they arrived, police officers found the owners of the home, Krystel and James Paul, both 41, dead inside.

Jamie and Krystel Paul at the races in 2017.

A Queensland Police mobile police facility van and trailer is set up at Verbena Street, Mt Sheridan, after the sudden death of a man and a woman, both aged 41, on Tuesday night. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mount Sheridan resident Danna Lancini said the couple’s nine-year-old daughter fled to her house.

“I had to comfort her last night because she told me that her mum was dead,” Ms Lancini said.

“(The girl) said my dad sent me here because she’s dead.

“(My husband) heard the two, ‘bang, bang’, and then the daughter was on our front door.

“The two shots must have been when she was running.”

Neighbours reported hearing two gunshots form the Mount Sheridan House on Verbena Dr. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Ms Lancini said her husband heard two loud bangs around 7.15pm, but attributed it to another set of neighbours doing renovations.

“He thought it was the neighbour doing something … but when he thought about it, (he said) it might have been guns,” she said.

Ms Lancini said she looked after the couple’s nine-year-old daughter while waiting for the girl’s family to pick her up.

“(Her dad) told her to run to (my) house and then ring her grandma and tell her that the mum’s dead,” she said.

Cairns couple James Paul and Krystel Paul with their daughter who is now nine-years-old. Picture: Instagram

Krystel Paul and James Paul on their wedding day. Picture: Instagram

“I didn’t believe it … (but) he must’ve rung the ambulance because when I looked out, the police was there.
“It happened all at once … the daughter was in shock, and the police didn’t really say anything.”

Ms Lancini said the incident came as a “shock” to the quiet neighbourhood and she was unaware if guns were kept on the property.

“They’ve been here (in Cairns) a while I think, they were childhood sweethearts,” she said.

“I never would’ve expected this to happen to them, there were no signs, nothing – they were just so good.

Ellie the dog, owned by the couple, is being looked after by neighbours. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“Like the family’s really good.”

A neighbour on the other side of the Verbena Drive home, Cooper Smith, was looking after the family’s dog Ellie.

He said he was shocked to hear his neighbours were dead.

“To go through all that effort, you know, build a house up there, and get a lovely little puppy, and then just throw it all away,” he said.

“To leave your daughter … it’s horrible, I just don’t have words for it, honestly.”

A crime scene has been set up at the property and a full police investigation has begun.

There is no ongoing threat to the public.

In 2019 Krystel Paul opened Chanel Jaymes Bridal Boutique while James Paul had run JP Painting Contractors since 2011.

Police officers watch over a crime scene at Mount Sheridan Cairns following the sudden deaths of a man and a woman on May 27. Picture: Peter Carruthers

FAMILY MEMBER CALLED TRIPLE-0: POLICE

Cairns police Detective Acting Inspector Alina Bell this afternoon confirmed the nine-year old daughter of Krystel and James Paul had left the family’s Verbena Drive home on Tuesday night moments before both her parents died from gunshot wounds just after 7pm.

Detective Acting Inspector Bell indicated the child had been “alerted to the incident occurring” before she reached out to family members and neighbours, resulting in a triple-0 call to police.

“We provided an immediate response due to the concerns of the welfare of the occupants of that house, and unfortunately upon arrival, both male and female were located deceased,” she said.

“We do not believe that (the child) was present or witnessed any of the incident that occurred.”

Detective Acting Inspector Alina Bell speaking to media on Wednesday, May 28 following the sudden death of a Mount Sheridan couple, both 41, involving a firearm.

She said Mr Paul was a registered gun owner with multiple weapons at the property, but could not confirm which gun was involved in the fatal incident.

The couple’s bodies were located in the bathroom and the main room of the house.

Detective Acting Inspector Bell said the couple were not known to police, and there were no police records of domestic violence or mental health issues at the home.

Police officers watch over a crime scene at Mount Sheridan Cairns following the sudden deaths of a man and a woman on May 27. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“It’s always possible that things go on behind closed doors that family, friends, and police are not aware of, but our investigations have indicated to date that there is no indication that there was any domestic violence in that relationship.

“Ongoing investigations are trying to establish why this tragedy has occurred and we will do all we can to get some answers for those family members.

“We’ll conduct a full investigation – speaking to friends, family, associates, work colleagues … we’ll also look into bank records just to try and establish how this tragic incident has come about.

“This investigation isn’t being treated as suspicious, however we always remain open-minded and conduct a comprehensive investigation.”

Detective Acting Inspector Alina Bell speaking to media on Wednesday, May 28 following the sudden death of a Mount Sheridan couple, both 41, involving a firearm.

She said autopsies would be conducted and police would prepare a report for the coroner.

“This is not only a tragic occurrence for friends and family, it also significantly impacts on the whole of the community.”

She said the couple’s daughter was now in the care of family.

Police are calling for anyone with information or relevant footage in the area to come forward.

Quote this reference number: QP2500915865.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police.

Support and counselling is available from the following agencies:

DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811

DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636

1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732

13YARN: 13 92 76

More information is also available from the Queensland Government Domestic and Family Violence portal.

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Originally published as Mt Sheridan murder-suicide: Police investigate deaths of James and Krystel Paul inside Cairns home