‘The boys are dead’: Gran’s frantic call before two kids’ bodies were found

A tragedy is unfolding in Coonabarabran after a 66-year-old woman was arrested following the discovery of two deceased children aged six and seven.

Two boys were found dead in Coonabarabran on Monday afternoon. Picture: TNV

A grandmother called the Department of Communities and Justice claiming her two primary school-age grandsons were dead and she needed help, before police rushed to the rural home and discovered their little bodies.

The horrific tragedy unfolded in Coonabarabran on Monday afternoon, in the NSW Central West, when distressed government staff sent police to do an urgent concern for welfare check.

Officers forced their way into the Emu Lane home, just after 2pm, and made the horrific discovery.

The children, aged six and seven, could not be revived.

Their 66-year-old grandmother was arrested and taken to Coonabarabran Hospital for assessment, and remained there last night under police guard.

She is expected to be charged with the childrens’ murder.

Senior police sources told The Daily Telegraph the grandmother contact DCJ shortly after 1.30pm claiming the two boys in her care were dead. It is not known if the family was already known to the department.

On social media, a relative posted about the boys describing them as “cute as buttons”.

“Two little firecracker kids. They were amongst it all, 100 miles an hour, involved in soccer, karate, wild as march hares and cute as buttons! So devastating for all,” the relative wrote.

Two boys were found dead in Coonabarabran on Monday afternoon. Picture: TNV

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the death of two young boys was an “absolute tragedy”, and that every resource would be made available for both local police who responded to the call for help, and for the distraught family and community.

“This is a truly horrific tragedy involving children so young. Our hearts go out to the family of these boys, and to the entire community who will be devastated by what has happened today,” Ms Webb said.

She said additional police resources were already on the ground in the tiny community, which has a population of about 2,500 people, and homicide detectives were expected to arrive later in the night.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was a terrible day for the community and his thoughts were with them.

“What has occurred is terrible and as a state we share in the community of Coonabarabran’s grief at the loss of two young boys who had their entire futures ahead of them,” he said.

“I can not begin to imagine the heartbreak their loved ones are currently feeling, including their family, friends, and teachers.

“I thank the local officers who attended the scene for their professionalism and bravery in the face of such a horrible event.”

Dozens of police vehicles filled the rural laneway as police began the task of piecing together the children’s final moments before they were allegedly killed.

Strike Force Darnum has been set up to investigate the tragedy.

Originally published as ‘The boys are dead’: Gran’s frantic call before two kids’ bodies were found