The father who committed suicide and killed his young son during a planned custody visit had set up a deadly poison system inside his home, police believe.
The man, 38, and the two-year-old boy were found dead inside a unit on College Street in East Lismore, on the far north coast of New South Wales, on Sunday night after a call to the police to conduct a welfare check.
The boy’s mother raised the alarm after the boy did not return home as planned on Sunday afternoon and was unable to contact the father.
The boy’s father, known to police for domestic violence matters, is believed to have killed his son before taking his own life.
Detectives are investigating whether carbon monoxide poisoning contributed to the couple’s deaths, Daily Telegraph reported.
Police are investigating whether a fatal poisoning system may have led to the deaths of a father and toddler at a unit in East Lismore.
It is understood crime scene forensic specialists found equipment and a setup within the premises consistent with carbon monoxide poisoning.
A post-mortem examination will be carried out this week to determine how the man and boy died.
Elevated levels of carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness and seizures that can lead to death.
The toxic, odorless and colorless gas is produced by burning petroleum-derived substances such as petroleum, diesel and gasoline.
Daily Mail Australia does not suggest these substances were involved in the couple’s deaths.
Detectives and crime scene officers, dressed in protective gear and masks, spent most of Monday touring the two-bedroom unit and left the complex with several bags of evidence.
A small red tricycle could be seen in the parking lot closed by the police.
It is understood the block of units had recently been renovated following extensive damage in the 2022 floods.
Crime scene officers (pictured) were seen leaving the unit on Monday with bags of evidence, after searching the property.
The father, known to police, is believed to have killed his son before taking his own life. Children’s bicycles were seen outside the unit on Monday.
Deputy Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell said detectives know how the couple died and that no weapon was involved.
“The father has created a system in which both he and the child have died as a result of the system he created,” he said.
He could not have encountered a more tragic event.
‘Any of these issues are difficult for the police, but they are well trained.
‘Our existing welfare systems take care of our agents. Our attention should be focused on the poor mother who has lost a child.’
Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said the man was known to police for previous domestic violence matters but not for “significant issues”.
He said the mother lived in the local community with her son, who was an only child, and the father had an access visit on Sunday.
“The mother expressed concern (to police) about the fact that they were supposed to release the child at 4:30 p.m. and at 5:30 p.m. she had contacted police and we went to the residence and made the discovery,” said the Deputy Commissioner Thurtell.
It is understood that there is an arrest warrant for violence against the father, which was in force since July last year to protect the child and his mother.
“The father had no criminal record in New South Wales, however I understand he is from interstate and we will be conducting inquiries with other police organizations across the country,” Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said.
Emergency Management Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell (pictured) addressed the media on Monday following the incident.
The incident has shocked the neighborhood.
Shocked neighbors told the Daily Telegraph they occasionally saw the boy in the street, but heard nothing unpleasant or ominous on Sunday.
“I don’t think the boy was there much… but I saw him with (the boy) not long ago, but everything seemed pretty normal,” one resident told the publication.
Another neighbor, Lucy, met the “sweet” and “shy” boy when her father moved into the complex about six months ago.
“When they first moved in, they saw my cat and they came over and were playing with him… the boy was a little shy, but he just wanted to play with my cat,” she said. ABC News.
Forensic teams (pictured) spent most of Monday scouring the unit for evidence.
Locals joined the boy’s grieving mother and took to social media to mourn the loss of the boy.
‘To that poor, poor mother… my heart breaks for you,’ wrote one
Another added: “It’s unimaginable what that mother is going through.” She rest easy, little one.’
Strike Force McGuren has been created to continue investigations into the deaths.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
For confidential 24/7 support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
