Inside the tortured mind of mum who drowned with her two young children as tragic new details emerge

A woman who drowned along with two of her children in a suspected murder-suicide had tried to cure her bipolar disorder with a diet recommended by a controversial celebrity ‘medical medium’.

The bodies of Hoai Doan, 32, and her children Mitchell, seven, and Hazel, five, were recovered from Sydney’s Georges River, near Shearer Park in Lansvale, on Saturday after reports the family had been caught in a fast-moving current.

Bystanders desperately tried to save the mother and children, jumped into the river and grabbed boats, but could not save their lives.

Police are reportedly investigating whether the tragedy was a murder-suicide.

On Monday morning, the children’s father, Dihn Nguyen, showed up at the dock to lay flowers at the site where Mitchell and Hazel died — and confirmed that his wife was on medication for bipolar disorder, describing her as “up and down ‘.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal Ms Doan had been hospitalized for her mental health issues for the past two years and had an interest in holistic healing.

In a series of social media posts, the mother of three documented her marital problems and her attempts to regain her sanity – which appeared to be largely based on a book called Brain Saver by a self-proclaimed ‘medical medium’, Anthony. William.

In one post, a family member told her not to give up, to which she replied, “God won’t let me die easily.”

Hoai and her children – Hazel 5 and Mitchell, 7, (pictured on a fishing adventure) drowned in the Georges River on Saturday

William, who does not appear to have a medical degree, claims that his medical expertise was given to him by a spirit at the age of four and that his connection to that entity allows him to cure illnesses – ranging from mild to severe.

The book promises to provide readers with “answers to brain inflammation, mental health, obsessive-compulsive disorder, brain fog, neurological symptoms, addiction, anxiety, heavy metals, seizures, Lyme, ADHD, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune diseases and eating disorders.”

Ms. Doan’s posts, written in Vietnamese and translated into English, talk about her hospitalizations and how she started consuming “heavy metal detox smoothies” and drinking honey lemonade to improve her condition.

In 2022, she wrote about a time when she “lost control on the street and was taken away by an ambulance,” only to be released the next morning.

“The second time I lost control at home and my family called an ambulance and stayed for a month, took medicine and had an extraction,” she wrote.

‘The third time I caused a scene and argued with my husband, I was arrested by the police and I stayed for a month, took medicine and an extraction – this was the fourth time my husband called an ambulance and was brought in and given medicine had to take. ‘

During her fourth hospital visit, she discovered William’s book.

Dihn Nguyen (pictured with his wife and daughter) broke his silence about the tragedy on Monday

Vietnamese woman Hoai, 32, and her two children Mitchell and Hazel Nguyen, aged seven and five, (pictured) drowned in the Georges River on Saturday

Hoai Doan (pictured) tried to cure her bipolar disorder with a diet recommended by a controversial celebrity ‘medical medium’

‘[Anthony William] is the only person who says neurological disorders are caused by silent metal in the brain,” she wrote.

‘[His books] provide answers to the world’s serious diseases. He was the first to look at the sick and say that it is not the fault of the sick, but the outside influences.’

Ms. Doan shared how she had to use “heavy metal detox smoothie,” which contained five types of herbs, and said she had to move back to Vietnam because of the abundance of fruits and vegetables.

She continued, “There were times when my husband and I only disagreed over food and drinks, and then everything passed.

“Even though Vietnam is not as good as Australia, after three years of treatment I see that they only give me medicine and take the medicine out. If I don’t go, the police will come to my house and escort me.

‘I’ve lived enough with medicine, even though everything is free, I choose freedom, happiness and food according to [William].

‘Must use HMDS [heavy metal detox smoothie] 1 type of smoothie with 5 types of herbs to detoxify heavy metals and drink honey lemonade, pressed juice.’

The mother of three documented her marital problems and her attempts to regain her mental health

Dinh Nguyen (pictured with daughter Hazel during a trip to the aquarium) admitted his wife had ‘some ups and downs’

Dinh Nguyen heard about the deaths of Hazel (left) and Mitchell (right) when he came home from work on Saturday

Friends are shocked by the death of mother of three Hoai Doan (pictured with her husband)

Emergency services rushed to the boat ramp at Shearer Park off Hollywood Drive, Lansvale, on the Georges River after the family drowned

On Monday, Mr Nguyen opened up about his wife’s mental health issues, telling the Sydney Morning Herald that his wife is “on medication”.

He added that she was in good spirits late last week before the tragedy

“Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” Mr. Nguyen said.

“She has bipolar disorder, and she has some ups and some downs.”

He said she often accompanied him to his job as a handyman, but on Saturday she refused to go.

“She told me last night that she hadn’t slept so she wanted to stay home,” he said.

He only learned of the tragedy after he returned from work and the police knocked on his door.

Family friend Sarah Vu launched one GoFundMe appeal to raise money for Mr. Nguyen and his one-year-old son, who was in Vietnam with relatives.

The police investigation into what happened in the park continues.

Ms Doan had been hospitalized due to her mental health problems

Police are reportedly investigating whether the tragedy was a murder-suicide. The photo shows Mitchell and Hazel

Bystanders desperately tried to save Mitchell and his sister Hazel (pictured) along with their mother

“Police and a number of bystanders immediately conducted a search for that woman and two children,” Fairfield Acting Chief Inspector Luke Scott said.

‘It’s unbelievable how tragic it would have been for the people who saw what happened, and also for the family.

‘A number of bystanders made attempts to save the children and their mother, but unfortunately they were not successful.’

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636.