‘Janice’s last words to me were they were a bit worried how they were going to cope with Robyn’

“THE mum’s dying, he’s dying, and they have a daughter who is not in a good way.” Neighbours have revealed the torment behind a double murder-suicide.

Janice and Robyn Frescura both died from gunshot wounds. Picture: Valerie Horton / ARM

“THE mum’s dying, he’s dying, and they have a daughter who is not in a good way.”

That is believed to be the tragic backstory to the double murder-suicide that has rocked Booral, on Queensland’s Fraser Coast, on Thursday.

Neighbours and friends of John Frescura, 79, his wife Janice, 68, and their 50-year-old daughter Robyn have told of how the parents were both dying of cancer and their daughter was suffering the long-term effects after a serious stroke.

The trio were found with gunshot wounds at their home. Robyn was already dead by the time emergency services arrived, her parents died at Hervey Bay Hospital.

It’s understood Mr Frescura called triple-zero after he shot his wife and daughter and then turned the gun on himself.

Family friend Gwenda Knapp said the couple were both battling terminal disease with John suffering prostate cancer and Janice lung cancer.

“Janice’s last words to me were they were a bit worried how they were going to cope with Robyn,” she told reporters.

“The mum’s dying, he’s dying, and they have a daughter who is not in a good way.”

Neighbour Michelle Marturano told Fairfax Mr Frescura’s wife had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She also thought Robyn Frescura may have had cancer as well.

“The daughter had a brain tumour and the wife’s just been diagnosed terminal, so I think that’s probably more to the point than domestic violence,” she said.

John Frescura. Picture: Hayden Johnson / ARM

“I would be more along on the assumption that the medical issues were just so overwhelming that he just didn’t see another way out.”

She said there had been no sign of any trouble before the shootings.

Friends also took to Facebook to express sympathy for the family. “They were a beautiful family RIP,” Desley Jenkinson wrote.

“You are at rest now you where all suffering (sic) and now you will be together I know why you did this and I know ur a good man,” Jenny N Danny Palfrey wrote.

Detective Inspector David Briese said police were not aware of any history of domestic violence at the home.

He said Mr Frescura is believed to have called triple-zero to report the shooting and police will investigate the family’s history, including reports from neighbours that Robyn suffered from a disability.

A forensic officer at the Frescura family home where the murder suicide took place. Picture: Robyne Cuerel

Police discovered what they said was a traumatic scene inside the Frescura’s home.

Mr Frescura spoke to the Fraser Coast Chronicle in 2014 to complain about being issued a parking fine after rushing to hospital after Robyn suffered a life- threatening stroke.

Det Insp Briese said the incident was distressing for police and emergency services who arrived at the home.

“It’s shocking and traumatic for the community, for the emergency service responders at the scene,” he told reporters in Hervey Bay. “A traumatic incident, such as this, is terrible for the whole community.” A firearm was seized from the property and police are investigating whether or not it was licensed.

Former Booral Community Association president Derek Lawton was shocked by the triple shooting in the “quietest place you could live”.

He told the Fraser Coast Chronicle that Booral, just south of Hervey Bay, was a haven for retirees who wanted to get away from it all.

“It’s where you come to leave everything behind,” Mr Lawton said. “There is no noise except for the sound of a lawnmower and the birds.

“Basically nothing happens here.’

National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800 RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.