Drowning mum’s mental health battle

The mother who drowned with her two children in a Sydney river at the weekend suffered from bipolar disorder, her husband has said.

The bodies of Mitchell Nguyen, 7, and Hazel Nguyen, 5, and their mother Hoai Doan, 32, were recovered from the Georges River at Lansvale in Sydney’s southwest on Saturday in what was originally believed to be a tragic drowning.

However, police confirmed to news.com.au they are now investigating whether their triple-drowning was the result of a murder-suicide.

The children’s father and Hoai’s husband Dinh Nguyen arrived at the scene of the tragedy on Monday to lay flowers.

He told the Sydney Morning Herald that his wife was on medication but was in good spirits in the days before the drownings.

“She has bipolar disorder, and she has some ups and some downs. She takes medicine. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” he said.

Mr Nguyen said police had not discussed the murder-suicide theory with him.

He said that his wife, who did not work, would often accompany him to his job as a handyman but did not do so on Saturday.

“She told me the last night she didn’t sleep so she wanted to stay at home,” he said.

Mr Nguyen only learned of the deaths once he came home from work and police arrived at his door.

The tragic incident unfolded at 10.15am when emergency services were called to a boat ramp in Shearer Park following reports a woman and two children were seen in the water in distress.

“Members of the public attempted to assist the woman and children until emergency services arrived,” police said in a statement.

Hoai was pulled from the water but unable to revived. A short time later the bodies of her two children were recovered.

“Police have established a crime scene, with investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing,” the police statement said.

“Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Fairfield Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

The probe comes following reports from bystanders that they were attacked by the mother as they tried to help the children, the Daily Telegraph reported.

A GoFundMe has been set up by family friend Sarah Vu to raise money for Mr Nguyen, and the couple’s only surviving child, a one-year-old boy called Macario who lives with his grandparents in Vietnam.

“I am reaching out to you during a time of unimaginable sorrow. We hope to raise funds to aid the funeral and to assist the father to look after young Macario in this time of grief,” the campaign states.

“Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference.”

Almost $50,000 has already been raised for the family.

In an update posted to Facebook on Monday morning, Ms Vu confirmed their bodies would be sent back to Vietnam.

“I can’t believe the fund raised more than expected! I would like to sincerely thank all the contributions of the community,” she wrote.

Another family friend Elle Tran said the family moved to Australia from Vietnam 15 years ago.

She said that Hazel and Mitchell were happy kids who loved the park but did not know how to swim.

“They loved this river, they loved playing near the water,” she said.

A community vigil was held for the family on Sunday.

NSW Police Acting Superintendent Luke Scott described the tragedy as “beyond words”.

“The circumstances of what they were doing there, unfortunately we do not know at this point in time.

“The investigation has commenced in relation to this coronial matter. The circumstances of how they came off the pier and into the water, that is what we are looking into.”

Know more? Contact our reporter sarah.keoghan@news.com.au

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