New theory emerges about Blue Mountains alleged double murder after two boys found dead in Faulconbridge home – as their mum Trish Smith is kept under police guard in hospital
Police will investigate whether a mother suffered a psychotic episode after her two sons were found dead in an alleged double murder.
Russell and Ben Smith, aged nine and 11, were found with stab wounds at a house on Chapman Parade in Faulconbridge just before 12.40pm on Tuesday.
Their 42-year-old mother Trish Smith was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition after an ambulance helicopter landed at nearby Springwood High School. She was treated for cuts to her wrists under police guard.
Police are now investigating whether Mrs Smith had a psychotic episode, The Australian reported.
“Officers were called to an address on Chapman Parade today in concerns for the welfare of a woman and two children,” Police Chief Karen Webb said on Tuesday afternoon.
‘Police arrived on the scene a short time later and discovered the bodies of two children – two boys, one aged nine and one aged eleven.
‘A woman has been taken to hospital. She is under police guard in the hospital and she has been arrested.
‘Police are not looking for any other individuals and Strikeforce Stafford has launched a thorough investigation.’
The bodies of the two boys and their injured mother were found by their father, who did not live at home.
Police are investigating whether Trish Smith (pictured with Russell and Ben) suffered a psychotic episode
The family is pictured during happier times. Father Nick Smith is on the right
A major police operation was launched in Faulconbridge after the bodies of two young boys were found in a house on Chapman Parade
The boys’ mother was taken to Westmead Hospital in Sydney with stab wounds
It is not believed that police have had any previous contact with the family.
Photos on social media showed the family beaming with joy as they posed for photos with Santa, enjoyed the family holiday and explored the wilderness around the Blue Mountains.
Just eight months ago, Google Street View images captured children’s Christmas decorations hanging in the front yard of the family’s home.
Retired Detective Steve Ticehurst, who lives around the corner from the family, said they were beloved members of the close-knit community.
“They seemed like a very happy family, they’ve lived here for years, and you would never expect something like this to happen,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘They all came together to the local Christmas party and seemed like the perfect family.
‘The mother was known for taking walks in the area in the afternoon and we would always have a chat.
“There was never any indication that anything was wrong. I couldn’t say a bad word about them.”
The boy’s father (pictured with his family) found the bodies of his sons and his former partner
The mother’s mental health will be part of the police investigation
Another neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, said the entire neighborhood was shocked by the incident.
“You always saw her walking through the streets with her dogs and out with her sons,” the local resident said.
‘They were nice young guys.
“You would never think something like this could happen here – it’s a quiet community.”
The children’s father, Nick Smith, who is separated from their mother and did not live at the same address, called Triple-0 when he visited the house and found the bodies of the boys and his former partner injured, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
New South Wales police have established a crime scene at the home in the Blue Mountains and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The scene of the incident is just 450 metres from the famous Norman Lindsay Gallery in the Blue Mountains.
Residents driving their children from the local Springwood High School and public schools to the home were stuck in traffic in both directions as police slowly directed traffic past the house.
Mr. Smith’s Mercedes Benz station wagon was left parked outside the family’s home Tuesday night — a modest, wood-plank bungalow that is a far cry from many of the new houses on the street.
Residents said they had not seen Mr Smith “for a while” but that he would occasionally accompany the children and their mother to local events.
Shocked neighbors described the woman and her sons (pictured) as a very happy family
The boys, aged nine and eleven (both pictured), were found dead in the house on Tuesday
NSW Police said officers from the Blue Mountains Police Area Command are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths and are being assisted by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
Neighbor Barbara Faith said she regularly saw the two brothers returning from school on their bicycles.
“They had their helmets on and they did the right thing… I just thought they were nice kids,” Ms Faith told the ABC.
She said that shortly after noon there was a big commotion and that about 20 emergency services rushed through her street.
“It’s such a quiet neighborhood and quiet street that you don’t expect things like that,” she said.
“It’s so sad, I can’t believe this could happen anywhere, let alone on my street.”
For free mental health support call Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14