Trish Smith, who is accused of killing her two sons, sent a message saying “I love you” to her husband the night before the boys’ bodies were found, it has been revealed.

Nick Smith, who did not live with her, responded to the message with the same words, according to the accused’s solicitor Paul McGirr.

McGirr told Daily Mail Australia the boys’ parents had separated amicably and they had expressed their love for each other on Monday night last week.

“The kids were obviously in bed and she was going to bed and she sent him a message saying ‘I love you’,” McGirr said.

“He sent her a message saying he loved her.

“He wasn’t living in the house but I think it was a very amicable split and he was still very hands-on and they were raising the kids together.”

The next day, on Tuesday, the father allegedly found his children Ben, nine, and Russell, 11, dead at about 12.40pm in their home in Faulconbridge, Blue Mountains.

The 42-year-old mother fronted Parramatta Local Court on Saturday on two domestic violence murder counts.

She made a brief court appearance and was remanded in custody and did not apply for bail.

McGirr said he did not know how long the couple had been separated, but they shared parenting.

“He was very close to the boys, they’d go on outings, he’d cook meals for them,” he said.

“They were just raising the kids in a separated fashion but very amicably.

“That’s why it’s so important that everyone in the entire family is given support.

“The whole family on both sides, her family and his family, have been extremely supportive of her.

“We’re dealing with someone who is extremely unwell. The husband, to his credit, is still sticking with her.”

Emergency services had been called to the house following welfare concerns for a woman and two children, with the boys’ father allegedly finding their bodies on the same day.

NSW police said Smith was also found at the scene with stab wounds. She was taken to hospital in a critical but stable condition.

She was released from hospital on Friday and taken to Parramatta Police Station where she was charged.

Nick Smith last week expressed disbelief at the tragedy while also calling for privacy.

“The loss of our two beautiful boys has caused unimaginable pain and distress,” he said.

“Russell and Ben were happy, funny, outgoing boys and were very much loved by their family and friends”.

Magistrate Michael Stoddart remanded Smith in custody until her next appearance on November 8.

1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732

Lifeline 131 114

-with AAP