Police are to investigate whether a mother suffered a psychotic episode after her two children were found dead in a suspected double murder.
Russell and Ben Smith, aged nine and 11, were found at a house on Chapman Parade in Faulconbridge shortly before 12.40pm on Tuesday suffering from stab wounds.
Her mother, Trish Smith, 42, was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition after an ambulance helicopter landed at nearby Springwood High School. She was treated for cuts to her wrists in police custody.
Police are now investigating whether Ms Smith suffered a psychotic episode. The Australian reported.
“Officers were called to an address on Chapman Parade today regarding concerns for the welfare of a woman and two children,” Police Commissioner Karen Webb said on Tuesday afternoon.
‘Police arrived shortly afterwards and discovered the bodies of two children: two boys, one aged nine and the other 11.
‘A woman was taken to hospital. She is in police custody and has been arrested.
“Police are not looking for any other individuals and Strikeforce Stafford has launched a thorough investigation.”
The bodies of the two young men and their injured mother were found by their father, who did not live in the house.
Police are investigating whether Trish Smith (pictured with Russell and Ben) suffered a psychotic episode.
The family is pictured in happier times. Father Nick Smith is on the right.
A major police response has been triggered in Faulconbridge after the bodies of two young children were found at a house on Chapman Parade.
The children’s mother was rushed to Westmead Hospital in Sydney with knife wounds.
Police are not believed to have had any prior interaction with the family.
Photos posted on social media showed the family beaming with joy as they posed for photographs with Santa, enjoyed the family holiday and explored the nature around the Blue Mountains.
Just eight months ago, Google Streetview imagery captured children’s Christmas decorations hanging in the front yard of the family’s home.
Retired homicide detective Steve Ticehurst, who lives around the corner from the family, said they were much-loved members of the close-knit community.
“They seemed like a very happy family, they had lived here for years and no one would have imagined something like this could happen,” she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘They all gathered at the local Christmas street party and seemed like the perfect family.
‘Mom was known to take exercise walks around the area in the evenings and we would always chat for a while.
“There was never any indication that anything was wrong. I couldn’t say anything bad about them.”
The boy’s father (pictured with his family) found the bodies of his children and his ex-partner.
The mother’s mental health will be part of the police investigation
Another resident, who did not want to reveal his name, said the entire community was shocked by the incident.
“We used to see her walking her dogs on the streets all the time and with her children,” the local resident said.
‘They were lovely lads.
“You would never think something like this could happen here. It’s a quiet community.”
The children’s father, Nick Smith, who is separated from his mother and did not live at the same address, called triple 0 when he visited the house and found the bodies of the children and his injured ex-partner, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
New South Wales Police have established a crime scene at the Blue Mountains home and are investigating the circumstances of the deaths.
The scene of the incident is just 450 metres from the famous Norman Lindsay Gallery in the Blue Mountains.
Residents transporting their children from local Springwood public and high schools gathered in both directions as police slowly waved traffic past the home.
On Tuesday night, Mr. Smith’s Mercedes Benz SUV sat outside the family’s property, a modest wooden bungalow that stands in contrast to many of the newer homes on the street.
Residents said they had not seen Mr Smith around “for a while” but that he had once joined the children and their mother at local events.
Shocked neighbours described the woman and her children (pictured) as a truly happy family.
The nine- and 11-year-old boys (both pictured) were found dead inside the home on Tuesday.
NSW Police said officers from the Blue Mountains Police Area Command are investigating the circumstances of the deaths and are receiving assistance from detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
Neighbor Barbara Faith said she regularly saw the two brothers riding their bikes home from school.
“They had their helmets on and were doing the right thing… I thought they were lovely kids,” Faith said. alphabet.
He said there was a huge commotion shortly after noon with about 20 emergency vehicles racing down his street.
“It’s such a quiet neighborhood and such a quiet street that you don’t expect that kind of thing,” he said.
“It’s so sad, I can’t believe this could happen anywhere, let alone on my street.”
For free mental health support, call Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
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