A disability advocate has called for greater support for families with high-needs children, after two boys were killed by their parents in what police are investigating as an apparent double murder-suicide.
Brothers Otis, 14, and Leon, 16, who lived with disabilities, were found dead at their family home in the Perth suburb of Mosman Park on Friday morning.
Their parents Jarrod Clune, 50, and Maiwenna Goasdoue, 49, were also found dead.
Police spent the weekend at the street where the incident occurred. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
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On Friday police said the two boys experienced “significant health challenges”.
The ABC understands both boys had high support needs and their parents appeared to advocate for autism awareness on social media.
Developmental Disability WA chief executive officer Mary Butterworth said the tragedy highlights shortcomings in Western Australia’s support services.
Maiwenna Goasdoue had been active in advocating for autism awareness. (Supplied)
She said while she did not know the family, it was “fairly obvious” they were not getting the support they needed.
“The reality is in Western Australia we do not have enough trained support workers who can provide support to families,” she told ABC Radio Perth.
“I feel sorry for the support providers, they do not have enough funding in their plans that allows for them to provide deep and thorough training and mentoring to their staff.
“If we had more investment into staff training and support, I think we would have more families feeling like it is not all up to them to try and survive.”
Jarrod Clune and his teenage son, Otis, who had high support needs. (Supplied)
Both boys, and their father Jarrod, previously attended prestigious private boys’ school Christ Church Grammar, in Perth’s western suburbs.
‘Loved family’
In a statement released on Monday, school principal Alan Jones said Jarrod Clune had been a prefect and footballer before graduating in 1992, “had a wide friendship group and was well liked and loved by his peers”.
“Mai was an active member of our community and was devoted to her boys,” Mr Jones said in an email to parents.
Maiwenna Goasdoue with her son Otis. (Supplied)
“Leon and Otis had both attended Christ Church and whilst enrolled at the school, were members of the Peter Moyes Centre, receiving support for their learning needs.
“This tragic incident has had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on our entire school community — students, staff, parents, and [alumni].
What we know about the suspected murder-suicide of a Perth family of four
“The school is supporting both staff and students during this difficult time and we extend our deepest condolences to the family and ask that everyone keep them in their thoughts and respect their privacy as they grieve.”
Otis, 14, was quoted in an old 2019 school newsletter expressing a love of exploring and swimming.
“I have liked exploring the river with my friends. I have also liked swimming lessons and trampolining,” the newsletter stated.
Leon (left), Otis (centre) with their father Jarrod. (Supplied)
In the same newsletter, his older brother Leon, 16, spoke about spending time with friends.
“My favourite part of the year was playing with my friends on the oval. This year I learnt how to communicate with my device,” he was quoted as saying.
‘Please be patient’
Asked what steps the government would be taking to learn any lessons from the family’s deaths, Premier Roger Cook said the initial focus would be the police investigation.
Premier Roger Cook says a police investigation would inform the government response. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
“At times like this you ask yourself why? What went wrong? Could [it] have been prevented?” he said.
“We must now step through the process of undertaking the investigation to get the facts in front of us in order to be able to answer those questions.”
Mr Cook said once that investigation was complete, government agencies and other bodies would then be able to consider any improvements which could be made.
If you or anyone you know needs help:Lifeline on 13 11 14Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636Headspace on 1800 650 890ReachOut at au.reachout.comMensLine Australia on 1300 789 978SANE on 1800 187 263
“I understand there’s speculation around NDIS support, schooling support and things of that nature,” he said.
“I would just invite everyone to please be patient and let us step through that.”
Education Minister Sabine Winton said she was still trying to come to terms with the tragedy.
“The struggle is real for parents with children [with disabilities],” she said.
Sabine Winton was asked about the deaths at a press conference on Monday. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
“I’m focused on making sure that our schools can do everything we can to support their children.”
Review finds inclusivity concerns at WA schools
Ms Winton said that included implementing an overhaul of how children with disabilities are treated in public schools.
Those efforts began after a review last year found not enough was being done to prevent children with disabilities being denied enrolment at public schools.
The cause of the family’s deaths has not been revealed, but police said a note was found at the scene.
The family’s pets —two dogs and a cat — were also found dead at the family home.
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