The family of the little boy allegedly stabbed to death by his father has made a heartbreaking plea for him to be buried next to his mother, who died of a sudden illness shortly after giving birth.
A 45-year-old man was charged with the murder of his three-year-old son after the toddler’s lifeless body was discovered Wednesday afternoon in an apartment in Riverwood, southwest Sydney.
The father had serious knife injuries, which police said were self-inflicted, and was rushed to St George Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
Police allege the 45-year-old man stabbed his son before turning the knife on himself at a unit in Riverwood, southwest Sydney (pictured, paramedics on scene)
Quiet Riverwood Street in southwest Sydney was overrun with police on Friday
The little boy’s mother died shortly after giving birth in early 2021. The father would then have cut off all contact with her side of the family.
Now relatives are calling for her son’s body to be buried next to her after learning of his tragic death through news reports more than 24 hours after it happened.
The relatives described his late mother as a “supportive, affectionate” woman.
“Her death left a bitter taste and now her baby’s death too, it was the final straw, so much tragedy,” they shared The Sunday Telegraph.
“Nobody wants to have to bury their daughter and grandson,” the relative added
A heartbroken friend of the family posted a tribute to the little boy on Facebook, saying “you’re an angel in heaven now.”
The father remains in hospital under police guard.
On Saturday, the murder charge against him was read at Parramatta Bail Court and his case was adjourned until August.
It turned out that he had spoken to police about an incident of domestic violence hours before the alleged stabbing.
He reportedly had a dispute with his new partner at his home in the Blue Mountains.
It is understood that she had called the police on Wednesday, claiming that he had allegedly been violent towards her.
Bilal Fazli from the nearby Riverwood Community Center arrived with several people who left bouquets of flowers and stuffed animals outside the apartment building
Forensic police are investigating the crime scene on Friday as shocked locals watch
Officers reportedly came to his home in Medlow Bath, but he was not there, as he was heading to the Riverwood complex owned by his aunt, which is about 60 miles from his home.
Police were reportedly able to talk to him, who sounded calm, on the phone, with people who had last seen him saying his behavior seemed normal.
But hours later, he reportedly turned on his son, leaving him dead and seriously injured himself.
Amber Macdonald, who lives in a nearby building, previously told Daily Mail Australia she was shocked to see police swarming down the street.
“It was scary. I felt like I was in America,” she said.
Ms Macdonald said she was ‘devastated’ when she heard about the little boy’s death.
Colleen Du-Rocher, who lives several floors above the unit, said so heard family members of the father and son yell as they arrived at the scene.
“I was shocked to hear that there was a man here with a child, because this block is for the over-65s,” she said.
Ms. Du-Rocher said she was devastated too, having 20 grandchildren and great-grandchildren of her own.
‘I was shocked. I almost fell off the roof,’ she said.
Detectives will investigate the “traumatic” incident as possible domestic violence
Bilal Fazli from the nearby Riverwood Community Center arrived with several people, leaving bouquets of flowers and stuffed animals outside the housing block.
“We were all in the office just a few hundred meters away and we were all really devastated when we heard the news,” said Mr Fazli.
“We thought the most appropriate thing to do is to extend our condolences to the family, community and everyone affected.
“We want everyone to know that the community center provides counseling services and support to anyone who needs it. And you are more than welcome.’