‘Unimaginable’: Father of two killed boys speaks out
The mother of two boys found stabbed to death had previously been sacked from a government job. Photo: NSW Police
The father of two boys found dead in their family home in the Blue Mountains says the incident has caused “unimaginable pain”.
Nick Smith discovered the bodies of his two sons, Russell, 11, and Ben, nine, at their Faulconbridge family home on Tuesday.
Police are waiting to question their 42-year-old mother, Trish Smith, who was separated from Smith.
She was taken from the scene to hospital with minor injuries, reportedly self-inflicted. She has been arrested and remains in Westmead Hospital under guard, as police wait to interview her.
No charges have yet been laid.
In a statement on Thursday, Smith expressed his 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.”
Smith said his sons loved sports, soccer, the Penrith Panthers, fishing, as well as spending time with friends and their dog Max.
“We cannot understand how our boys have been taken this way and we appreciate the kindness and compassion shown by the community,” he said.
“We also ask the media respects our need for privacy at this time and give us the time and space we need to grieve.”
Trish and Nick Smith with their sons in 2016. Photo: Facebook
Flowers, teddy bears and toy cars were propped against the fence of the Faulconbridge home as a photo of the smiling, dark-haired siblings was publicly released by their family on Wednesday.
Trish Smith’s personal Facebook page is filled with photos of her and the children together, showing them on frequent bushwalks and beach visits.
Investigators have declined to speculate on what occurred before the brothers were killed but police have said they are not looking for any other parties.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said this week the “horrifying, very distressing” incident was another reminder of the difficult job done by emergency services workers.
“I can only imagine what the father of those two boys is going through today and I want to assure him the people of NSW are behind him as he deals with the turning of his life upside down,” he said.
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-with AAP
