Police in Western Australia are investigating a devastating family tragedy in Perth after the bodies of two parents and their teenage sons were discovered in their home in what appears to be a premeditated murder-suicide pact.
Discovery of the Tragedy
Emergency services were called to an affluent suburb of Perth on Friday morning after a care worker, who regularly assisted the family, arrived at the property and found a note warning "don't enter" with instructions to alert authorities. The care worker had been unable to make contact with the family, prompting the alert.
Officers discovered the bodies of Jarrod Clune, 50, his partner Maiwenna Goasdoue, 49, and their two sons Leon and Otis, aged 16 and 14 respectively, in different parts of the home. Police also found the family's two dogs and cat deceased at the scene.
Investigation Findings
Homicide detective Jessica Securo confirmed that police are treating the incident as a murder-suicide, though the investigation remains in its early stages. A second note discovered on Saturday further supported investigators' conclusion that the deaths resulted from a pact initiated by the parents.
"Although this investigation is in its infancy, police are investigating this matter as a murder-suicide," Detective Securo stated. Police have not yet determined the exact cause of death, though drone imagery reportedly showed what appeared to be bloodstains near the rear of the property.
Family Background and Challenges
Both teenage boys lived with non-verbal autism and faced significant health challenges. According to police statements, the family had been dealing with substantial support difficulties, including reports that they had lost government funding for one child's support services through Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
A close family friend, Nedra, spoke about the immense pressures the family faced, describing how they "often felt isolated, unsupported and abandoned by family, friends, support services, schools, the NDIS, the health system and the community in general."
Systemic Support Failures
The friend elaborated on the family's desperate situation, noting: "No one can understand the endless fight to get the support and services they so desperately needed. Mai wouldn't even put her boys into respite care in case they were mistreated in any way."
She suggested that chronic sleep deprivation, challenging behaviours during long school holidays, and an overwhelming lack of support may have contributed to the parents feeling they had no alternative options.
Police Response and Community Impact
A Western Australia Police spokesperson told media outlets: "This incident remains under investigation and no further comment can be provided at this time." The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised serious questions about support systems for families caring for children with significant disabilities.
Police confirmed they found no weapons at the scene and noted the deaths did not appear to have been overtly brutal, though the investigation continues to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the family's deaths.
The case has highlighted the extreme pressures faced by families caring for children with complex needs and the potential consequences when support systems fail to provide adequate assistance.
