A devastating tragedy has unfolded in an affluent Perth suburb, where a family of four was discovered dead in what police are investigating as a murder-suicide. The bodies of Jarrod Clune, 50, his partner Maiwenna Goasdoue, 49, and their teenage sons Leon, 16, and Otis, 14, were found inside their Mosman Park property on Friday morning.
Discovery and Initial Investigation
Emergency services were alerted at 8.15am by a care worker who regularly assisted the boys, both of whom had severe, non-verbal autism. The care worker arrived for a pre-arranged visit but was unable to contact the family. Upon arrival, they discovered a note containing words to the effect of 'Don't enter', along with instructions to call emergency services.
When officers entered the property, they found all four family members deceased, along with the family's two dogs and cat. The bodies were located in different parts of the home, with police indicating the deaths were not violent in nature and that no weapons were used.
Police Statements and Evidence
Homicide detective Jessica Securo confirmed on Friday that police were treating the incident as a murder-suicide investigation. On Saturday, it emerged that a second note, believed to be a letter, helped investigators conclude this was a double murder-suicide. The message reportedly outlined plans for the family's finances and suggested the parents had jointly decided to end their lives.
Police have not officially confirmed the cause of death, but drone images taken above the property appear to show what resemble bloodstains at the rear of the home, metres from bedsheets hanging to dry on a clothes rack. A Western Australia Police spokesperson declined to comment on the bloodstains when contacted on Sunday, stating the incident remains under investigation.
Family Background and Challenges
The teenage boys both experienced significant health challenges, with reports suggesting the family had lost government funding to support one of the boys' disability through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). French-born Ms Goasdoue, known as 'Mai' to friends, belonged to multiple Facebook support pages and described her boys as having 'severe' autism.
Close friend Nedra revealed the couple felt increasingly isolated and unsupported by friends and family, adding that the boys' diagnoses made life 'difficult and very challenging'. She explained: 'They often felt isolated, unsupported and abandoned by family, friends, support services, schools, the NDIS, the health system and the community in general.'
Educational History and Support Issues
Both boys, along with their father, previously attended Christ Church Grammar, a prestigious private boys' school in Perth's western suburbs. However, a teacher revealed that Christ Church Grammar was not the right fit for them, with Otis being expelled around two years ago following a spitting incident. The teacher claimed someone at the school had described Otis as a 'monster' to his exhausted mother.
Christ Church Grammar declined to comment specifically on Otis' expulsion, instead offering a general statement about supporting grieving families and respecting the police investigation. It's unclear when Leon left the school, but there is no suggestion he was also expelled. The Mail understands the family had difficulty finding the right school for their sons.
Community Response and Tributes
Since the tragic deaths, friends and community members have taken to social media to pay tribute to the Clune family, with some expressing frustration that Leon and Otis were not more supported by the NDIS system. Autism mentor Maddie Page wrote on Facebook: 'The Clune boys will always hold a special place in my heart – they taught me to think outside the box when it came to working with autism and reminded me that communication is so much more than words.'
Another friend, who chose to remain anonymous, described the parents as a 'strong couple' who loved their children 'deeply and moved all the stones they could to ensure that they had the required supports and help.' They added: 'This tragedy arose because two parents were so beaten down by the system, so isolated, so fearful for the future of their children that they could see no other way out.'
Personal Details and Family Life
The teacher who knew the boys described them as kind-hearted children who needed to be understood. She revealed that Leon was due to graduate from school next year, which she described as 'a big deal' showing 'just how far he came.' She also shared personal details about the boys' interests, noting that Leon loved Toy Story, especially the character Woody, while Otis loved Finding Nemo and would often bring his Nemo and Dory stuffed toys to school to help with sensory issues.
The educator said the parents did everything they could to support their sons, including taking them to therapy and seeking professional help as far away as Sydney. She noted that the boys never slept at night, often sleeping at school instead, and that sleeplessness is common with severe autism.
Official Response and Future Considerations
Roger Cook, the premier of Western Australia, stated that while his government will be focusing on the police investigation for now, there is a need to understand the deeper problems at hand. He said: 'At times like this you ask yourself why? What went wrong? Could it have been prevented? We must now step through the process of undertaking the investigation to get the facts in front of us in order to be able to answer those questions.'
Floral tributes have been placed outside the family home in Mosman Park, including a model ship and heartfelt cards addressed to the parents and their sons. The community continues to mourn while awaiting further developments in the police investigation.
