After a hard few years, a grandmother made a decision. She would take her two grandsons, aged six and seven, and move almost 400 kilometres away to the tiny town of Coonabarabran.
Things had not been going well for the 66-year-old or her family. The younger of the two boys had been born with additional needs and lived with childhood cancer for most of his short life. The woman’s daughter and her daughter’s partner – the parents of the two boys – were struggling.
Toys, flowers and candles have been left in tribute near the home in Coonabarabran.Credit: AAPIMAGE
The Department of Communities and Justice became involved with the two boys due to concerns for their welfare and, as the pandemic ended, the minister removed the two children from their parents and placed them in the care of their grandmother.
At that time, the grandmother witnessed an incident involving her family too graphic to publish details of, and became known to police as a victim of crime.
At the start of 2024, she moved with the boys to Coonabarabran, where they would start school as fresh-faced kindergarten students.
Less than a year later, the boys were found dead in their beds on a rural property on the close-knit town’s outskirts. Their deaths are now being investigated as a double homicide, with the home still a crime scene and police speaking to locals who knew the family in an attempt to piece together Monday’s tragic events.
Police search the property where the boys’ bodies were found.Credit: Nine
Detectives are waiting to speak to the grandmother and sole carer, who is now in a mental health facility in Orange. She is expected to face serious charges upon her release.
She had no criminal background and no documented mental health struggles. There were “no warning signs” that preceded the tragedy, a police source with direct knowledge of the investigation said.
The grandmother sent a text message to a caseworker for the Department of Communities and Justice on Monday to say the children were dead and she planned to take her own life. Two local police officers rushed to the home, where they found the boys’ bodies in different rooms and the grandmother having self-harmed.
The deaths did not involve weapons and post-mortem examinations were due to be carried out on Thursday to confirm the cause.
Police were called to the home on Monday afternoon.Credit: Nine
The small town’s community is now trying to come to grips with the horror.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland urged the town of 2300 to band together after the shocking deaths.
“Death in a small community has an impact on the whole community,” he told reporters outside Coonabarabran police station on Tuesday.
“The deaths of two young, innocent boys has a major impact.”
A colourful collection of toys, flowers and candles sit in tribute near the home, with homemade cards speaking to the boys’ short lives.
Community members have organised a candlelight vigil in Neilson Park by the Castlereagh River on Friday evening, also encouraging residents to leave their lights on in memory of the brothers.
“Let us come together to honour and remember the two little boys who have left us too soon,” the online notice said.
The event would be a “gentle reflection, remembrance and acknowledgment of our collective grief in this very sad time”.
with AAP
If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (and see lifeline.org.au), 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
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