Detectives investigating the deaths of two young men found dead with stab wounds at a home in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales will investigate whether the pair had been drugged beforehand.
Russell and Ben Smith, aged nine and 11, were found dead in their beds by their father Nick Smith at a house on Chapman Parade in Faulconbridge shortly before 12.40pm on Tuesday.
Her mother, Trish Smith, 42, was arrested and flown to Westmead Hospital for treatment of self-inflicted cuts to her wrists.
She remains in hospital under police custody while investigators await clearance from mental health professionals to question her.
No charges have been filed in connection with the incident.
New South Wales police are investigating whether the children were drugged before their deaths. The Telegraph newspaper reported Thursday.
Since there is no history of domestic violence in the family, investigators are looking into how the happy family allegedly deteriorated into such a horrific incident.
The children are known to have died as a result of multiple stab wounds while lying in their beds.
However, it is unclear whether this occurred on the day their father discovered their bodies or the night before.
Investigators will look into whether Russell and Ben (pictured) were drugged before being stabbed to death in their beds.
In one of Ms. Smith’s most recent posts, a comment appeared under a photo of her children at school playing soccer and reading to preschoolers.
“Russ had the best day of his life,” she wrote.
“Thank you for giving children so many opportunities.”
Russell and Ben had attended school on Monday, and detectives are now investigating what led to their absence on Tuesday before the tragic events that were later reported to occur at their home.
Parramatta Diocese Catholic Schools issued a statement on behalf of the school, saying everyone who knew the young men was heartbroken by their loss.
“Our Catholic school community is devastated by the tragic deaths of Ben and Russell, two students at Our Lady of the Nativity Elementary School in Lawson,” the statement read.
‘Students and staff at Our Lady of the Nativity are currently receiving wellbeing advice and support, which will continue to be provided in the coming weeks.
‘The care and kindness of the wider Blues Mountains community at this difficult time is greatly appreciated.
‘As police investigations continue, we are unable to comment further at this time.’
As police established a crime scene at the home, Mr Smith, who was not living with the family at the time of the tragedy, travelled to nearby Springwood Police Station to assist homicide detectives with their investigation.
A crime scene has been established at the family home in the Blue Mountains as detectives work to piece together the events that led to the tragedy (pictured)
The former couple, who first bought the house 14 years ago, were well-known and loved members of the close-knit community and regular attendees of the local Christmas street party.
Ms Smith worked for the state government’s Greater Sydney Local Land Service, while her ex-husband is Big W’s head of replenishment.
The crime scene has been closed for more than 24 hours as detectives work to reconstruct the events leading up to the tragedy.
Mr Smith’s Mercedes-Benz SUV remained outside the family’s property, which was cordoned off with police tape.
Detectives were still removing bags of evidence Wednesday morning as devastated local residents bussed their children past the home on their way to local schools Springwood High and Springwood Public down the street.
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