8 Children Found Dead at Home in Northern Australian City

Friday, 19 December 2014

8 Children Found Dead at Home in Northern Australian City

Source

Eight dead children and a woman suffering from serious stab wounds were found inside a northern Australian home Friday, police said.

police

Police believe the 34-year-old woman found with chest wounds is the mother of seven children with the eighth child believed to be a relative.

Queensland state police were called to the home in the Cairns suburb of Manoora Friday after receiving a report of a woman with serious injuries. When police entered the house, they found the bodies of the children, ranging in age from 18 months to 15 years.

The Guardian reports the children were all stabbed to death.

Detective Inspector Bruno Asincar said he didn't believe there was a multiple murderer still at large and that police were talking to the woman. Asked if she was a suspect, he said officials have not yet identified any suspects and were questioning everyone who had contact with the family in the past 2-3 days.

"As it stands at the moment, there's no need for the public to be concerned about this other than the fact that it's a tragic, tragic event," Asnicar said. "The situation is well controlled at the moment. There shouldn't be any concern for anyone else out of this environment."

Lisa Thaiday, who said she was the woman's cousin, said another sibling, a 20-year-old man, came home and found his brothers and sisters dead inside the house.

Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said the police who reported the incident were initially 'distressed.'

"These events are extremely distressing for everyone, of course, and police officers aren’t immune to that, we’re human beings as well," Ansicar said. "But the police we have here are very highly trained and professional.. I’m very happy with the response."