Rear view of a police forensics van parked on a suburban street

A police forensics van was parked outside the Mott Close home in Mosman Park where a family of four died in an apparent double murder-suicide.  (ABC News: Mya Kordic)


Perth police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a family of four found at their Mosman Park home on Friday in what officers say was a double murder suicide.

The bodies of the four family members — teenage boys aged 14 and 16 and their 49-year-old mother and 50-year-old father — were found by police after they went to the house at around 8:15am on Friday.

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A worker who had a prearranged appointment with the family called emergency services after arriving at the Mott Close home and failing to make contact with the family.

Major Crime Squad chief Detective Acting Inspector Jesscia Securo described the scene that confronted police as “highly distressing”, with the bodies of the family members found in separate areas of the house.

The cause of their deaths has not been revealed, but police said a note was found at the scene.

Police tape across a suburban street

Mott Close in Mosman Park remained taped of on Saturday following the discovery of the family’s bodies. (ABC News: Mya Kordic)

Police continued their investigations at the family’s home in the affluent riverside suburb on Saturday.

Police cars and officers arrived throughout the morning and the quiet suburban cul-de-sac remained cordoned off with police tape.

A police forensics van was stationed outside the house, with officers coming and going throughout the day.

‘Unimaginable tragedy’: premier

Meanwhile, WA Premier Roger Cook described the situation as an “unimaginable tragedy that will ripple throughout the community and the entire state.”

“That the lives of two innocent children have been taken is heartbreaking,” he said in a statement.

“I urge anyone who is struggling to seek help.

Police tape and a police car parked ouitside a house

Police continued their investigations at a Mosman Park house where the bodies of a family of four were found on Friday.  (ABC News: Mya Kordic)

“I want to offer my deepest condolences to all those affected and thank the first responders who attended what would have been an incredibly confronting scene.”

 WA Police said in a statement they would not be releasing the names of the family, in line with their policy of not naming victims “involved in incidents”.

The ABC has chosen not to publish the identities of the deceased while permission is sought from the extended family.

‘Upsetting’: Brewer

Cottesloe MP Sandra Brewer, whose electorate encompasses Mosman Park, said the situation was “profoundly sad”.

“I feel for all of the people who live in that street or nearby and people in the Christ Church school community who will be really devastated by this tragedy,” she said.

Both boys are understood to have attended Christ Church Grammar School in Claremont at one stage, but principal Alan Jones said in an email to parents on Friday the school would not be releasing a statement.

Police have been deployed to the crime scene

Sandra Brewer said the local community was in shock after hearing news of the family’s deaths. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)

Ms Brewer said the community was in shock and it was difficult to understand what had happened.

“It’s definitely very upsetting news because to us they looked like a happy vibrant family from the outside, but clearly it appears they’re in great distress and so I just hope for other families that we can provide support because no one should live without help or hope,” Ms Brewer said.

‘Great sadness’

On Friday, Detective Acting Inspector Securo said the boys had “significant health challenges”.

Disability advocate Samantha Connor told the ABC it was “really important that we centre the victims at the centre of this and remember who they were.”

A woman with red hair and glasses seated outdoors.

Samantha Connor said it was important to remember who the victims were. (ABC News: Glyn Jones)

“This is a loss to our community and it’s a loss of young lives, and a great sadness is upon us,” she said.

“Nobody really has all the pieces of the puzzle until after the investigation is finished.

“I do hope that during the investigation, they look and make sure that the family were well supported.”