Father, son found dead in their home in suspected murder-suicide

Further details have emerged after a man and his teenage son were found dead in their home.

Details have emerged about a father and son who were found dead in a suspected murder-suicide.

Emergency services were called to a home at Yamba, about 128km south of Byron Bay, following reports two bodies had been discovered at about 1.10pm on Thursday.

The bodies of Wayne Smith, 58, and 15-year-old Noah were found by police.

The bodies of Wayne Smith, 58, and 15-year-old Noah were found by police. Picture: Facebook

Neighbours confirmed the two were father and son and had been living in the area for at least 10 years.

Noah was a junior footballer in the small NSW east coast town, and Wayne spent 40 years working for the local Port Authority.

The two were also known as fishing enthusiasts, having won local awards.

Photos on social media show the duo with fish they’d caught together.

Lisa Flynn, who lives on the same street, said the small, close-knit community has been left shocked by the incident.

“My partner came home at about 3pm and there were cops everywhere,” Ms Flynn said.

The two were known to spend a lot of time working on Wayne’s boat. Picture: Facebook

Neighbour Lisa Flynn said the community is shocked by the deaths. Pictures: NCA NewsWire / Natalie Grono

“No one had heard anything – no gunshot noises, nothing.

“You just wouldn’t expect it in this area; there are a lot of retirement-aged people and single mothers here.”

She said she often saw the pair outside working on the man’s boat together.

“It’s just surreal it could happen so close to us,” she said.

Police said the investigation into the incident was “in its infancy” but confirmed they “don’t believe a third party was involved”.

Ms Flynn said although the neighbourhood is horrified by the deaths, they feel safer knowing police don’t believe anyone else was involved.

Noah, 15, was a cyclist and young football player. Picture: Supplied

The father and son were known to work outside on the man’s boat. Pictures: NCA NewsWire / Natalie Grono

“It gives us some relief knowing there probably isn’t a third person out there and that the matter is likely resolved.

“They had a good relationship with each other,” she said.

“I rarely saw the boy go to school, but I’d see them working on the dad’s boat a lot.

She said police were alerted after a family member found the two.

The street has since reopened, with officers from the Coffs Clarence Police District still investigating.

In 2022, the estimated population of Yamba was just under 6,500. Police are taking measures to support the small community, with the deaths affecting students and staff at Noah’s school as well as people connected to local sports clubs.

Police continue to investigate the incident, but don’t believe a ‘third party’ was involved. Pictures: NCA NewsWire / Natalie Grono

Superintendent Shane Cribb said police were treating the incident as a murder-suicide.

He said there was no reason to suspect the 15-year-old was unsafe with his father, but officers would continue to investigate the circumstances.

“The 58-year-old man was a licensed firearm holder, so that was found at the scene,” he said.

“Police will speak to a number of people; we’ll look at the history of both the father and the son. We’ll look at the family history.

“It’s an absolute tragedy.

“Our job now is to be professional and put the evidence together.”

“No stone will be left unturned, and hopefully we get to the bottom of why.”