Man charged with murder after sudden deaths of Tayla Cox and 11-week-old baby Murphy, found dead in Rockhampton home

A man will front court this morning after being charged with the murder of his 11-week-old baby girl and wife.

A man will front court charged with the murder of his wife and 11-week-old baby girl, after their bodies were discovered in “confronting” scene in their central Queensland home.

Queensland Police went to the Park Avenue house about 10.50am on Thursday after Matthew Cox allegedly attended a Brisbane police station and reported two dead people at the address.

Police said upon arriving at the “confronting” scene, they found the bodies of 30-year-old Tayla Cox and her 11-week-old daughter, Murphy Margaret.

Mr Cox, 31, has been charged with two counts of murder (domestic violence offences).

He is due to front Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday morning.

Matthew and Tayla Cox with their baby girl Murphy Margaret. Picture: Facebook

Police are investigating after the body of a mother and baby girl were found at a Park Avenue home. Photo: 7 News

“A crime scene was immediately declared and investigations have begun into the deaths,” police said.

A second crime scene has also been declared at an apartment complex on Constance Street in Fortitude Valley where police believe the man had been staying.

A vehicle was seized at the Rockhampton Airport and taken away for forensic examination.

Earlier in the day, Superintendent Darrin Shadlow told media the bodies are believed to have been in the Park Avenue home since Tuesday.

“The gentleman we have in custody in Brisbane who’s assisting us with inquiries is the only person we are looking for in this incident,” Superintendent Shadlow said.

He said the man attended the Fortitude Valley police station in Brisbane on Thursday morning.

“As a result of the information that he gave, Brisbane contacted Rockhampton, who have then attended that residence and located the deceased people,” he said.

“We believe that the two died on the afternoon of the 8th (of August).”

He said the man had flown from Rockhampton to Brisbane sometime on Tuesday evening.

Matthew and Tayla before the birth of daughter Murphy. Picture: Supplied

In a statement given to the Morning Bulletin, Matthew Cox’s parents Denis and Linda said they were devastated by the news.

“We have lost a beautiful daughter-in-law Tayla, but also our much loved granddaughter Murphy,” they said.

They said they were in an “absolute state of shock,” but had very few other details about the incident.

The ABC reported neighbours had heard gunshots the night before, but Superintendent Shadlow dismissed the rumours.

“There were no gunshots in relation to this incident.”

There is a heavy police presence in the area, including forensic investigators, with officers dealing with a “very confronting scene.”

Police said a 31-year-old man is assisting with the investigations. Photo: 7 News

Residents in the area are shocked. Photo: 7 News

“We will be working hard to determine exactly what has occurred.”

Neighbours told the Courier Mail the residents of the address were a “generic, lovely family.”

Other neighbours are in shock, saying the street was normally very quiet.

Originally published as Man charged with murder after sudden deaths of Tayla Cox and 11-week-old baby Murphy, found dead in Rockhampton home