Police believe the children allegedly murdered by their mother may have been killed up to 17 hours before they were discovered, court documents revealed.
Trish Smith, 42, appeared in court for the first time on Saturday after being charged with the alleged murder of her sons, Ben and Russell Smith, aged 9 and 11, who were found dead at their family home in Faulconbridge on Tuesday.
Emergency services were called to the house on Chapman Parade around midday following a report of a concern for the welfare of a woman and two children.
Police will allege that the bodies of the two children were found inside the house by their father. Smith was also found with multiple stab wounds.
She was arrested on Tuesday and charged with two counts of murder on Friday.
According to court documents, police allege both children were killed sometime between 7:30 p.m. Monday night and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
Smith did not make a bail application when she appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday morning represented by lawyer Paul McGirr.
She appeared in court via video link from the Amber Laurel Correctional Centre, appearing on screen wearing a hospital gown and with her arm in a cast.
Trish Smith (pictured), from the Blue Mountains, has been charged with the alleged murder of her children.
She sat motionless, her head bowed as she listened to events.
“Can the year hear us?” they asked him.
“Yes,” Smith replied.
She only spoke briefly and said “thank you” because she was told her matter would be brought up again in court later this year.
Outside court, Mr McGirr said the investigation was still ongoing and described the incident as an “absolute tragedy”.
“There are many people suffering,” the lawyer said.
‘At this point I cannot say anything more about what will happen with this matter until we have all the material.
“There are many family members who are suffering greatly because of this: parents, grandparents and others. We ask that you respect that privacy.”
Russell and Ben Smith, aged 9 and 11, were found inside the Faulconbridge home on Tuesday.
Police are seen outside the Blue Mountains home on Tuesday.
Paramedics treated Smith at the scene on Tuesday before she was taken to Westmead Hospital under police custody in a critical but stable condition.
After being released from hospital on Friday, Smith was taken to Parramatta Police Station and charged with two counts of murder.
In a statement released on Thursday, the children’s father said: ‘The loss of our two beautiful children has caused unimaginable pain and heartbreak.
‘They were happy, fun, outgoing kids who were much loved by their family and friends.
‘Like other boys their age, they loved sports, football, the Penrith Panthers, fishing, books, music, spending time with their friends and Max, their puppy.
‘We appreciate the kindness and compassion shown by the community.
“We also ask that the media respect our need for privacy at this time and give us the time and space we need to grieve.”
Smith is due back in court on November 8.
(tags to translate)dailymail