By Sally Rawsthorne and Josefine Ganko
Police are investigating whether the deaths of two people found with “lacerations” inside a granny flat on a property at Forestville on Sydney’s northern beaches were the result of a murder-suicide.
Officers were called to the Cannons Parade home about 9.30pm on Wednesday for a welfare check after it was reported the residents of the granny flat hadn’t been seen since Saturday, leading police and Fire and Rescue to break down the door to gain entry to the home.
On arrival, officers discovered two bodies – that of a man aged in his late 40s and a woman in her early 50s, police said.
The pair were in a domestic relationship, police have confirmed.
Police suspect the deaths are a result of domestic violence, sources not authorised to speak publicly told the Herald.
While the couple – who have yet to be formally identified – were known to police in Queensland for domestic violence, there was no record of intimate partner violence with police in NSW, where they have lived for several years.
“Obviously, we are talking to our counterparts in Queensland at this particular point in time; until we formally identify the people, it’s a bit difficult to actually confirm what records relate to them. So ... that is definitely a line of inquiry,” Detective Superintendent John Duncan told reporters on Thursday.
The deaths are being treated as suspicious, but investigators are not looking for anyone else in connection to the deaths, he said.
“All I can say is, there are two bodies in there. They have got lacerations to them,” he said, adding that the cause of death had yet to be ascertained.
Duncan said the occupants were known to the police for minor matters but would not confirm whether they had criminal records.
The couple moved to Sydney several years ago and had been living in the granny flat for the past 12 to 18 months, Duncan said.
The man had worked as a cleaner or in another physical occupation, a neighbour who wanted to be known only as Sam told the Herald.
Most neighbours on the quiet suburban street said they didn’t know the couple, who had kept to themselves.
A jacket hung on the pool fence outside the granny flat on Thursday morning, while forensics officers worked inside the property.
Police seized a white ute parked in front of the home overnight, which Nine’s Today reported had Queensland number plates.
Local officers were speaking to a resident of the main home early on Thursday, who was still clad in her dressing gown as she answered the door to speak to investigators.
On Thursday morning, shocked locals walking their dogs stopped to ask what had brought police and media to the area.
“I can’t believe it,” said one man walking a black Labrador when he was informed that police had located two bodies.
The two-storey granny flat is located behind a large five-bedroom, three-storey brick home, and sits next to a pool and large lawn.
Duncan appealed for information on any suspicious activity over the past four days in the area.
“Obviously this is a very good street. It’s generally a very quiet area, but if anybody’s seen anything suspicious, of any concerns since, say, the weekend, please contact either Northern Beaches detectives or contact Crime Stoppers,” he said.
If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114, beyondblue on 1800 512 348, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).