Dad recounts moments he found dead sons in Blue Mountains

The grieving father of two boys suspected of being killed by their mother in an attempted murder-suicide has recounted the shattering moment he found his sons’ bodies.

Nick Smith rushed to the home of his ex-partner Trish Smith, 42, in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, about midday on Tuesday after he could not contact her.

Their two sons, Russell, 11, and Ben, nine, had not arrived at their school, in the nearby town of Lawson, as expected that morning.

When Mr Smith arrived at the home on Chapman Parade about 12.40pm he found both children dead, having suffered apparent stab wounds. He found their mother alive, but bleeding from cuts to her wrists.

Mr Smith called triple-0 and waited at the home until police and emergency services arrived.

Ms Smith was taken to Westmead Hospital under police guard. She was treated for self-inflicted wounds before she was arrested.

Mr Smith, who had not been living at the home at the time of the incident, then went to Springwood Police Station to assist with the investigation.

No charges have been laid over the incident.

Police have been unable to confirm whether a weapon was found at the scene.

The family had no history of domestic violence and had only minimal prior contact with police.

Ms Smith is being treated for self-inflicted cuts to her arms but is otherwise in a stable condition.

Blue Mountains Commander Superintendent John Nelson said it was too early to determine the cause of the tragic incident.

“The father is helping us with inquiries and he was the one who contacted police … all avenues are open for investigation,” he said.

Police are now attempting to piece together what happened inside the home.

They said the two boys were at school on Monday (the day before), and no concerns were raised, and are trying to establish their movements on Tuesday.

“We are not prepared to speculate at this stage. Our focus is coming to the bottom of what has happened in these tragic circumstances,” Supt Nelson said.

“Our community has lost two precious souls in the most awful circumstances,” Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill said in a statement.

“Now is a time to come together and remember these two beautiful children.”

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said: “I think the older and more experience you get in this job, things like this still cut to the core. It’s a tragic situation.”

A NSW Police spokesperson confirmed police are “not looking for anyone else” in relation to the incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.

An investigation has been launched into the circumstances of the deaths, with detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad involved in the investigation.