A Gold Coast father sent suicide pact texts to his wife before a family tragedy that left three people dead, police have revealed. The man, 47, allegedly killed his two children, aged 10 and 7, before taking his own life at a home in Pimpama on Tuesday night. His wife, who was not at the property at the time, received the messages and alerted authorities.
Police said the father had been involved in a custody dispute and had recently lost his job. Officers forced entry into the home after the wife raised the alarm, finding the bodies of the two children and the father. The mother is being supported by family and police, with investigations ongoing.
The tragedy has shocked the local community, with neighbours describing the family as quiet and private. Queensland Police are preparing a report for the coroner, and domestic violence support services have urged anyone experiencing distress to seek help.
This incident follows a broader pattern of male suicide in Australia, where three-quarters of the nine daily suicides are men. Mental health experts stress the importance of reaching out to loved ones showing signs of distress, as stoicism can mask deep pain.
