A father who was killed in a house fire near Brisbane along with his five sons has been convicted of domestic violence and his partner previously had a restraining order against him, it can be revealed.
Wayne Godinet, 34, was killed along with his twins Kyza and Koa, age four, three-year-old Nicky, and his two stepsons Zack, 11, and Harry, 10, after 6 a.m. on Sunday when the fire engulfed a rental home on Russell Island. Queensland.
The boys’ mother, Samantha Stephenson, 28, and a 21-year-old relative, believed to be her sister, escaped the burning home and were released from hospital on Monday.
At a press conference Monday morning, Detective Andrew Massingham said investigators are investigating the cause of the fire and are not ruling out suspicious activity.
Det Supt Massingham also said Mr Godinet was ‘known to the police’ and officers had been called to the Todman Street rental property several times before the fire, but would not say why.
Wayne Godinet (pictured, left, with Samantha Stephenson), 34, was murdered along with his twins Kyza and Koa, aged four, three-year-old Nicky, and his two stepsons Zack, 11, and Harry, 10
Mrs. Godinet (pictured) died after re-entering the house to rescue his sons from the fire
The blaze was so intense that firefighters were unable to search through the remains of the home until late afternoon after fighting it from 6:18 a.m.
He also declined to say whether the father of five was allowed to be home on Sunday morning.
In May 2017, a warrant for the arrest of Mr Godinet was issued on behalf of Ms Stephenson.
Three months later, he was sentenced by Lismore District Court to ten months’ imprisonment for domestic violence, with a non-parole period of six months.
He was sentenced to an additional four months for failing to comply with his bail conditions. The victim of the assault has not been specified.
Mr Godinet faced a slew of restrictions in relation to the warrant, including one stating that he should not approach her ‘at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs’.
The restraining order was due to expire in May 2018.
In December 2018, the couple celebrated the birth of their first children together, twins Kyza and Koa Godinet. A year later, they welcomed Nicky Godinet to the world.
Mr Godinet (pictured with his son) got trapped upstairs with the boys just before the second floor of the Russell Island house collapsed
Mrs. Stephenson (pictured) was found outside the house in distress
Speaking to the media on Monday, the day after the fire, close family friend Peter MacLoughlin recalled a conversation he had with Ms Stephenson.
“Despite saying they had problems, she said the family was so close and absolutely loved each other,” he said.
Mrs. Stephenson’s close friend, Lilly Salter, has a Go fund me to help the mother with expenses, including the six funerals she will have to fund.
Ms Slater told Daily Mail Australia exclusively: “Samantha just wants the world to know – check your smoke alarms and hold your babies.”
Neighbors said Mrs. Stephenson had slept upstairs with the children, while Mr. Godinet slept downstairs.
She had managed to escape the flames with a 21-year-old relative, believed to be her sister, but when she tried to run back inside to get her sons, Mr Godinet stopped her and charged back into the burning building himself.
The fire completely destroyed the property it came from and spread to two other houses
Tributes have been left at the scene of the deadly fire
He got trapped upstairs with twins Kyza and Koa, age four, his three-year-old son Nicky, and stepsons, Zack, 11, and Harry, 10, before the second floor collapsed.
Police confirmed on Sunday afternoon that six bodies had been found in the wreckage.
The young mother was released from hospital on Monday morning and is working with investigators to determine the cause of the fire.
Police have not yet said whether the fire is suspicious or not.
Detective Andrew Massingham also revealed on Monday that there were several elements of the house fire that required “further investigation” by police.
“In terms of best investigative processes, the elements that require further investigation or clarification should remain confidential at this stage,” he said.
Officers were stationed outside the house on Sunday night to guard the six bodies that police said were left in the charred wreckage.
“Today we hope to be able to remove the bodies of the six people who tragically died in this fire yesterday,” said Det Supt Massingham.
Firefighters remain at the scene of the deadly house fire that claimed the lives of five young boys and their father on an island off the coast of Brisbane
Officers are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire
“A crime scene has been declared on Todman Street and the fire department and crime scene personnel are there. Our disaster victim identification team has been called in to help.”
Officers were stationed outside the house on Sunday night to guard the six bodies that police said were left in the charred wreckage.
The fire started around 6am on Sunday and spread to two other homes, sending thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky.
One house collapsed while firefighters were busy dousing the flames in another.
About 20 firefighters were able to extinguish the flames of a third home.
Anyone with information or relevant footage of the incident is urged to come forward as the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Russell Island Rural Fire Brigade was the first to respond to the blaze, and witnesses then saw ambulances and fire trucks board a ship to the island to assist.