Australian authorities are investigating a devastating family tragedy in which two autistic teenage brothers were found dead alongside their parents in what police believe was a murder-suicide.
The bodies of Jarrod Clune, 50, his partner Maiwenna “Mai” Goasdoue, 49, and their sons Leon, 16, and Otis, 14, were discovered at their home in Mosman Park, an affluent suburb of Perth, on Friday, January 30. The boys were both non-verbal and had significant support needs.
Friends and former support workers have alleged that the parents killed their sons before taking their own lives, citing years of strain and what they described as systemic failures by Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Police have not formally confirmed the cause of death but say the case is being treated as a suspected murder-suicide.
Detective Jessica Securo, who was at the scene, said there was no prior record of domestic violence linked to the family and no immediate signs of a violent confrontation inside the home.
“There doesn’t appear to be a violent incident that has occurred at the house,” she said.
The bodies were discovered after a care worker arrived for a scheduled visit and noticed a handwritten note on the front door instructing them not to enter and directing emergency services instead. Inside the property, officers found all four family members deceased in separate areas of the house. The family’s two dogs and a cat were also found dead.
Drone footage taken above the property reportedly showed what appeared to be bloodstained bed sheets hanging outside to dry. Police later confirmed that a second note, believed to be a detailed letter, was found on Saturday, January 31. The letter reportedly outlined financial arrangements and suggested the parents had jointly decided to end their lives.
Authorities said the boys had experienced “significant health challenges,” while media reports indicated the family may have recently lost government funding that supported one of the children.
Tributes and criticism of the NDIS followed swiftly. Maddie Page, a former support worker for the children, shared an emotional message on social media, urging the disability support system to take responsibility, according to The West Australian.
She wrote: “All [the boys] wanted was to be understood – and when they did, they captured your heart.
“My heart feels unbearably heavy knowing that the NDIS system failed them, and that they were made to feel they had no other choice. There truly was no one like them, and their parents were their biggest, fiercest supporters.
“May they rest in peace together as a family, NDIS – do better.”
A close family friend identified only as Nedra told the Daily Mail that the parents had become increasingly isolated as they struggled to secure consistent support for their sons.
She said: “They often felt isolated, unsupported and abandoned by family, friends, support services, schools, the NDIS, the health system and the community in general.
“No one can understand the endless fight to get the support and services they so desperately needed. Mai wouldn’t even put her boys into respite care in case they were mistreated in any way.”
Nedra added that prolonged exhaustion and lack of assistance may have contributed to the parents’ sense of despair, suggesting that chronic sleep deprivation and fear for their children’s future left them feeling trapped.
Another friend, who asked not to be named, described the couple as deeply devoted parents who felt overwhelmed by the system meant to help them.
“Unfortunately they were fighting a losing battle against a system which is not here to assist,” the friend said. “This was not a domestic violence-type murd£r-su!cide.
“This tragedy arose because two parents were so beaten down by the system, so isolated, so fearful for the future of their children that they could see no other way out.”
In the days following the discovery, floral tributes and handwritten messages were placed outside the family’s home, while white ribbons were tied to a nearby tree in their memory. Members of the local community have also announced plans to hold a candlelight vigil to honour the family.
