A father known to police for domestic violence matters killed his son and then took his own life after he was allowed access visitation with the child.
The man, 38, and the two-year-old boy were found dead inside a unit on College Street in East Lismore, on the New South Wales north coast, about 9.45pm on Sunday, after The police will be called to conduct a welfare check.
Deputy Emergency Management Commissioner Peter 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.
Emergency Management Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell is pictured addressing the media on Monday.
Deputy Commissioner 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.
“A more tragic event you wouldn’t come across.”
It is understood the boy’s mother had an Arrested Violence Order against the father.
A small red tricycle could be seen in the garage as detectives and forensic teams searched the two-bedroom unit on Monday.
A local woman, named Lucy, said she met the “sweet” and “shy” boy when the family moved to the property about 6 months ago.
Forensic teams appear at the unit on College Street in East Lismore, on the New South Wales north coast, on Monday.
“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.
Lucy said many area residents had recently returned after devastating floods hit the region in 2022.
“I came back a year after the floods and some of the other places took much longer to renovate and get tenants back,” he said.
While investigations continue, anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
For 24/7 confidential support, contact LIFELINE 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
