Marsfield deaths: Inside the troubled youth of teen arrested in counter-terror raid just days before his mother and sister were mysteriously found dead in separate bedrooms
Jennifer Carrig’s teenage son, whose body was found in a separate bedroom from her daughter Ella’s, was a troubled youth whose views clashed with those of his schoolmates.
A family friend has exclusively revealed to Daily Mail Australia that the “absolutely lovely” Jennifer had issues with her outspoken son Chris, now 19.
An old friend of Mrs Carrig said: ‘You couldn’t find a nicer person than Jennifer,’ who also has a son in his late 30s from a school romance.
Chris Carrig attended Epping High School until 2022. In 2018, the young teenager was obsessed with Game of Thrones, but since leaving school he has formed a group of friends with right-wing views.
Mr Carrig was arrested and charged with multiple offences a week before Jennifer and his disabled younger sister Ella are believed to have died in the Carrig family’s large home.
Jennifer Carrig, 53, and Ella, 13, were found dead in two separate bedrooms of their Menzies Rd home in Marsfield in Sydney’s northwest last Thursday.
Chris Carrig and 20-year-old Taylor Bayly are believed to have been living at the house on Menzies Road when they were arrested by officers from the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command at around 6am on July 2.
Chris Carrig (circled) was arrested along with his mother Jennifer and younger sister Ella, along with his friend Taylor Bayly, 20, at the house a week before Jennifer and Ella’s bodies were found at the Marsfield home.
They were taken to separate police stations to face charges over spray-painting a statue at Macquarie University with “far-right ideology” in February.
Mr Carrig was also charged with offences occurring at a Woolworths in Sydney’s north-west since May, while police had a warrant out for his arrest on behalf of another man.
Chris Carrig had already been banned from Woolworths when he allegedly entered the premises unlawfully on the afternoon of May 25 and stalked or intimidated the man
Police allege Mr Carrig and Taylor Bayly blackened their faces and then entered Macquarie Park, home to around 130 statues, at Macquarie University, at around 12.17am on February 25.
Court documents allege they spray-painted objects on campus with the Nazi swastika symbol and the logo of the National Socialist Network, an Australian neo-Nazi political organization.
The couple were charged with intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging property, blackening or obscuring the face with intent to commit a crime, possession of graffiti and unlawfully entering a fenced area.
The Marsfield home had bottles piled outside and several signs warning about a dog and cameras, although it is believed only cats live there and there are no visible cameras outside.
An old friend said of Jennifer Carrig, “You couldn’t meet a nicer person,” but remembered her teenage son Chris as “problematic”
They have been released on bail and are due to appear in various courts this month and next month.
Just eight days after their arrest, the bodies of Jennifer and Ella Carrig were tragically discovered.
There are several signs hanging around the house warning of security cameras and ‘beware of the dog’. However, there are no real outdoor cameras visible and it appears that two cats live there instead of a dog.
Buckets full of bottles stand in front of the house and clothes are piled against the windows.
On an upstairs bedroom window, a word appeared to have been written in blue paint in graffiti style on the inside. Drips of paint from the letters were clearly visible.
Jennifer Carrig (pictured left) and her daughter Ella (pictured right) were found dead in their home last Thursday
The house where the bodies were found (pictured) was searched by police a week earlier in connection with alleged extremist vandalism
Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Christopher Carrig was involved in the deaths of his mother Jennifer or sister Ella.
New South Wales Police have launched a major investigation into the deaths of Ms Carrig and Ella. The investigation is ongoing.
Police initially indicated that the pair’s deaths were not being treated as suspicious.
Sources have since revealed that detectives are also investigating whether the deaths were the result of murder and suicide.
It is not yet clear how the pair died, as neither Mr Carrig nor her daughter had any visible injuries.
“The victims did not suffer from bullet or stab wounds,” a police spokesman said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted New South Wales police for comment.
The tragedy prompted an outpouring of tributes to the couple, who had lived in the house for several years.
New South Wales police initially said the deaths of the mother and daughter were not being treated as suspicious, but are now reportedly investigating a murder-suicide theory
Mother of three Jennifer Carrig (pictured) was described as the ‘best mother’ by her friend
Mrs Carrig is remembered as the ‘best mother’ to her family, including to her daughter Ella, who was disabled and required full-time care.
“She was the best, so caring and thoughtful,” Mrs Carrig’s best friend Samantha Thomas-Barber told the Daily telegram.
“A true sweetheart and fighter… she was the best mother to her family.”
Neighbors in the quiet suburb were “completely shocked.”
Many said that they Thursday morning they heard or saw nothing out of the ordinary until they saw the emergency services in their street.
One of them described the mother of three as “very friendly and nice.”
He told Daily Mail Australia that Ella had a disability and that her mother had recently completed renovations to the house.
Another neighbor said that Jennifer used to babysit him and that he had known her all his life.
“It’s sad,” he said.
A family friend added: “I can’t believe this has happened,”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Crisis support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.